It will get better...

  my posting that is....I've been kinda down and hard to say something positive so I just shut up.

Things have been yucky to say the least - down on my back for a couple of weeks, sick with infected teeth and sinus' for another couple of weeks. Lost my best friend of 23 years at the age of 25 or so. Molly was the best friend you could ask for. She kept me safe on the trail and was a companion that never told my secrets. She taught me so many things - it's nice that she can still be the queen of the pasture right next to Mopar. It hurts.

Thursday- Thanksgiving

Some days are stone.

Foggy Sunday

  9 a.m. - 39* and foggy. What a morning. Been quiet here on the homefront. Woke up for the second time around 6. Spent the time reading for the second time a book about Alzheimers that Ann gave me a few years ago. Also reading a little bit in the Merck for info. Such a horrid disease.
  Tim and Ralph came home on Friday. Still had until Sun to hunt but decided to bring R's deer on homw for butchering. He got an 8 point. Gary got a doe I believe it was. Haven't heard about this weekend. Gene is back at work - maintenance man somewhere. Says he likes it. They had a good week at deer camp.
  Got a picture from Allen last night. He's hunting with friends this week too. They have gotten 3 so far that are similar to his friend's:

Here's Ralph's 8 point white tail.

Quite a bit of difference in the white tails and the muleys as expected. Both nice size bucks no matter how you look at it. Oops! Just realized that the friend's above would be counted as a 10 point here. Forgot the eye guards. lol  

 Sis found good homes for the cat and the minpin she's been fostering for mom wo was fostering at least the minpin. Not sure about the cat. Either way it all washes out, mom can not keep 4 dogs and a cat and Sandi can not keep them for her. What a month it has been. Give or take a week or two.

  This week will be Thanksgiving. Can't figure out what to do about that. Going to son's on Thursday and Greg's on Saturday but what do we do about mom? I assume the home will be having a dinner of sorts and how will I find the time to go there? As long as she's having some good days that are lucid I hate for her to feel abandoned because she is not. Not by Sandi and I anyway.

Monday, Monday

  Day four of deer season widowhood. Brandon has got his deer for the season. T sent me a picture of it. He's enjoying himself despite no deer.
  Sandi and I went to see Pat on Saturday afternoon for awhile. She was doing ok all things considered. I hope she adjusts to her new home. Not sure how quickly this will progress. Maybe some meds will line her out for awhile and she really could stay at S's. The demetia website gave 1.5 years in stage 5 and 2.5 in stage 6. Best of what we have seen and heard she's 5 overlapping into 6. Guess that means she'll be in this stage for a couple of years or so. Not sure what Char's plan is. If T is correct - soon as possible she will get the paper work done and go on about her life leaving the rest to S and I. I'll run up and see her tomorrow for a bit.

  Well, getting some housework done today and some extras. haha Need to catch up on some throw away Thursday.....I've finished in the bathroom and our bedroom. The living room and the library. Think I will start with the closets next. Plant room closet-here I come. Front closet after that.   Not sure what the rest of the week will bring but will try to do better for for myself on this page. Some days are diamonds! Even though it's cloudy and dreary it's been a beautiful day.

And the beat goes on

......no matter what takes place ....life goes on it's merry way. Sis and I are struggling with another one of life's curves it throws out there periodically. How to deal with the loss of another parent. No, no one has died but she is slipping away from all who knew her. Those of us who love her will miss her funny ways but she taught us a lot since she came into our lives. We took to her kicking and screaming as children and learned to appreciate and love her as young adults. She made dad a very happy man almost to the end. She didn't want to let him go and I can understand that. He was tired of the fight and wanted her to let him go. She refused. I might do the same in her shoes. Hoping to never find out. Now it's her turn to have a body turn against itself. In her case, her mind. It's awful to think you pray that a stroke or heart attack is the answer and not the effects of the dementia. The disease that steals a person of who they are. I remember reading one time of someone with Alzheimers (sp?) asking - "who will I be when I'm no longer me? " what a horrible thing to deal with.

  Nevermind..........

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

  Been trying for a couple of weeks to post something that is positive and interesting etc but you know what? Life sucks sometimes. I'm too emotional at times when it's not very convenient...I'll be back in a few weeks or less and life will be normal again. Meanwhile, the day is beautiful and I'm thankful for it.

Wen-day-ya-ho  Gonna be a diamond kinda day ----I'm determined ...

Tame Tuesday and Throwaway Thursday

  That's the plan anyway. The past few days have been rough on my sister and I both. We drove to our stepmom's place to check on her and see a cousin we haven't seen in years. Things aren't going well for her as her mind is playing tricks on her and we don't know why. There are so many things that could be going on. We're trying to get her an appt at a geriatric specialist this week that may give us a clue. It's going to be a long journey for all of us and Char will have to do some growing up along the way. She's going to have to take time off her wonder job and deal with this.

 Can't seem to get it together. Good grief. Was sick the last few days. Not sure why. Have gone back to walking on the treadmill. Least I had gone back to it. Then skipped a few days while sick. Back to it this a.m. . Going slow so not to strain anything haha. 30 minutes but only at a snail's pace of 1.6mph. Looking forward to getting back up to 2.0 +.

Dang it's chilly this am. At 28* right now and the sun's been up for over an hour. Was 30* when T left.
Made it up to 50* so far this afternoon. Dez says she's going back to work tomorrow. I sure hope so. Been several shifts at work and 3 weeks since we've seen and she hasn't called Aiden back and not talked to them since day of surgery (11th). That's a crock.

Feeling better today and getting some work done! Yay!

Tuesday from Oct 4

  Another beautiful day in the Ozarks! Had a nice weekend with my honey at home. Hung around house and got a few things done. Most of my plants inside and re-potted some that needed it badly. Israel was up on Saturday. Him and dad tinkered on his bike for a short few. Had some chili too. Actually we had frito pies! Oh, so tasty.

Throwaway Thursday and rambling along

  Well, what to throw away today? I'm positive it will not be hard to find something.
We had 3 storms roll through yesterday that left us with 3.6" of rain. Trying to catch up on the drought thing. Doing a good job. Had a little hail to go with the rain and wind.
  Meanwhile, here's a few pictures to share.

I really liked these brownies. Tim wasn't sure of the "icing stuff" on the bottom. Makes them really gooie. They were the best ones I had made from scratch that I can remember. Yummmy....

Oooo...pot of beans I made a couple of weeks ago. They were pretty good too.

 And last but not least a pot of tater soup! Was really good too. If I do say so myself.

Here's another outdoor oven idea for you. This time a toad cob oven. Need to borrow a better picture.

This is Ollie. Previously known as barn kitty number 2. They both are growing fast. As of yet I don't think that Sam had ever gone out hunting like Ollie. He has gone with Mama Cat several times for a couple of days at a time. Sam is always out in the shop. So far haven't seen mice in months. Yay!

I told you I had been thinking about the stocking up the pantry. Well, I think about it all the time but what I mean is, I've been thinking of actually posting about it. lol If you just add a little tiny bit each week or two to your grocery list or just buy 2 of things on your list it adds up fast. This is geared for a family of two so adjust accordingly. It's also getting on to winter so don't forget to rotate the emergency stuff in your vehicle. Food, batteries etc. Warm clothes added. Bag of kitty litter for traction. Folding shovel etc etc.

Week 1

6 cans peas

6 cans tuna

4 cans cream of chicken soup (I make my own as needed)

3 bags pasta

2 containers salt of your choice

1 lg pkg of TP

cold meds if you use them

Been plugging along on my family tree stuff. A tidbit here and a tidbit there. A few pics of headstones - I know that sounds gross to some folks but to a genealogist it's information. Sometimes it just has the year but most times it's a birthdate. Or a name of a wife/husband that you did not have. You never know.

Like finding where James O was buried. Finally found his grave and the name of the son he went to live with. Aunt Jo had told me something about some woman he ran off with or something like that but he was living with Charles and family. Also mentioned before was a time Emma went to live in California because John V was abusive? Never heard that before - need to ask about that. Who knows what kind of things you'll find while searching. You know what they say about skeletons in the closest. lol

      Have rambled long enough and been all day.
                                               Some days are diamonds.

Nothing imparticular

  It's still a beautiful day. It's after noon and we had a tiny bit of rain this a.m. and still cloudy but it's wonderful outside. T decided to stay home instead of working OT. We watched a movie and went back to bed at 7 a.m. . He's still asleep. No wonder as he doesn't sleep much the nights he works. 4-5 hours a night and then an hour drive, 12 hr shift, an hour home, dinner and a movie/internet.

This is the flower you ask about yesterday. In the blue pot hanging on the corner of the porch.  Amaryllis.

This is on the Peace Lily. Really interesting.

Wanted to share this OVEN with you. Isn't that a great idea for an outdoor oven? Too neat.

Wayback picture from 1982.

Some days are diamonds.

 

Saturday

  Been over a week since I last posted. I tried, just never made it. Nothing to say. Some days are like that. Hard to write about doing laundry. haha We did take a bike ride on Wednesday over to Tablerock lake. Tim's sister has been camping at Mill Creek since the first. Another sister in law was driving down from Spfd and Jeff and his family were up from Conway Ar. Had a good visit and a bowl of chili that Pam made. Oh, and a nectarine dumpling of sorts.

Tim and Jax enjoying a little blanket time. As usual all little ones like Uncle Tim.  Poor little guy isn't allowed any freedom yet. Someone had to be touching him at all times. Might fall and get hurt. Pushing one out the door and another not allowed to grow. Strange. But each to their own as they say.

Getting ready to leave for the beautiful ride home. Weather was just perfect and so are the roads back home.

See this evil chicken hawk? He's having his breakfast in the front yard. Flaunting the fact that his breakfast was one of my chicks! That's what happens when there is no one home to protect the little burgers. I will not be letting them out in the yard until the youngsters are almost full grown. I thought they were getting big enough for the hawk not to take but boy, was I wrong.
  Oh, the life of a wannabe country girl. Well, I was a girl once. haha How about, oh the life of a wannabe country crone? Well, according to the dictionary that doesn't fit entirely.
Crone: (kron)an ugly,withered old woman
  Old and withered I'll accept but not ugly. lol

Israel's jumping days. Came home one day and he had this "jump" set up and said "Watch, Mom!" Too funny. We didn't know at the time the poor little thing was pregnant. First horse we ever lost thanks to the so called vet in Willard.

Got the bread made from Aunt Jo's recipe! Pretty tasty but I need to adjust the cooking time in my pans and my oven! Nice tecture and good flavor. Believe it or not the kneading was a piece of cake too. Just working in the last 2-3 cups of flour and that was it. Too cool.

Been thinking about putting a list of supplies that a person needs for a year's worth by the week. A friend I know does that it and it seems helpful for a reminder.

What do ya think?

Some days are diamonds.

Beautiful day!

  What a great day it has been. Temp's are great and the sun is shining. What more can you ask for?
  I worked on my family story a bit a few days back. I made mention that it was a wonder that gma Sprinkle's side of the family didn't have 3 eyes. Here's a little explanation:

 Notice how some of the names are the same color? It's because they are the SAME people! Cousins marrying cousins, marrying cousins! Thank goodness Ira came along and added to the gene pool! Too funny. It really wasn't all that uncommon for families to do that, especially when out in the country where the number of folks were limited. At least that is what I tell myself. lol
  When dad's folks and mother's folks came to Missouri it was pretty much still a wilderness. Barely an actual state in the scheme of things. Spfd was little more than a settlement itself. Think about that for a minute. They were the pioneers that went "west" into the Missouri Territory. Coming here in wagons after crossing the biggest river in North America in not much more than a dang raft! Not the ones normally thought of in the wagons train to California or Oregon. "Our" pioneers were the earlier ones that would be here to help the others get a start further west. Missouri became a state in 1821 with a total population of 67,000 people. Dad's people were in Dallas county by 1837 and not too long after that mother's people were in Webster county. Another Ah Ha moment! The Atteberry's traveled here from Maury Co Tn during 1837, that's the same time the Cherokee were being forced to march their way from back east to the Indian Territory(Oklahoma).  Indians still had hunting territories here and the Kickapoo had a village near Spfd. Wild animals were in abundance including panthers and bears. "Go down to the creek and fetch some water" "oh yeah, by the way, don't get et or carried off on the way". Jr Mom's place is only 4-5 miles from where GW lived when first arriving. Didn't move very far after 174 years. I like that. Of, course it won't be much longer. I imagine that Betty or kids will sell what's left of the place. There will be Aunt Jo's place that I imagine will stay fairly intact for at least one more generation. Ruth's? Maybe sold off soon, knowing what little I know of that bunch. I guess it's just the way it happens. Took momma's side only 136 years to quit on their place.
  Talk about a rambling on sort of day. Geeeeessshhhhh.

This is the worst meatloaf I've ever made. It was tasteless! I screwed up and used lean HB. How awful. It was/is edible but .....

Wayback taken around 1968-69. The last time my hair was short.

You've seen this one, too. It's John V with his farrier apron on. I would have really loved spending time with this guy. A veterinary and farrier. Right up my alley. Dad got to hang around him and according to MomPat he learned a lot from him. 

  Took two days to get this posted lol  

 

Sunny Sunday?

  Maybe part of the day will be. Should have some scattered showers during the day and mid 60's. Yesterday was gloomy most of the day but still nice.
  Worked on the "tree" most of the day while doing laundry etc. Finally got around to washing the shower curtains! Gosh I almost hate that but am grateful that I'm able. Brought a few more plants in but am quickly running out of room until we tear the bed down. I was weak at WM the other day and bought another fern ($4.94) and an umbrella plant ($4.12)! Look at these! Aren't they wonderful? Think how clean our air will be in the house all winter. LMAO! As if it would help the dirt, dust and 4 dogs!

Here's the cashew chicken without the cashews. Dang it, I thought for sure I had some cashews in my baking supplies but it was almond slivers. T didn't mind though. Said it was real good. I used a new recipe so you never know. Need to double the sauce next time.

Isn't he handsome? Least he thinks so. He tries every now and then to "acquire" one of the big hens he's so proud of himself.

  Today's wayback picture. My little towhead with Three Sisters Mnts behind him about 1976. Forgive the picture. I believe it's been wet.
   It was good news that Aunt Ruth only had a broken leg. I know that sounds strange but it was first believed to have been her hip. A leg is much easier for recooperation. Sounds as though she will be going to some sort of "home" when she's released from the hospital. With what seems to be dementia, she's definitely in need of more care than she's been getting. I read this book about a study of nuns and dementia. Very interesting. The nuns were a good control group as they all pretty much live the same lives at adulthood. Seems after many years of the study they have the idea that the dementia is determined (besides genes) by whether or not you were read to as a child and read a lot as a child. That's what I got out of it anyway. I might just have to read it again, see if I get the same impression. In other words there doesn't seem to be anything a person can do about it now to ward it off.
  Are you getting stocked up for winter time? This time of year is always the time that my mind starts in on "getting stocked up". For us, the animals, for everyone. I think for me it's the fact I hate to get out in the winter and go to town. I get out every day to take care of the animals and I don't mind - I just don't want to go to town. lol Some days are stone.
 

Terrific Tuesday

  OMGosh, what a gorgeous day! Started out with perfect temps this a.m. when we got up. Dez did well with those couple of days it was in the mid 40's - just brought an extra jacket with her on the second day and away they went. T says he isn't going to change his riding habits this winter like he did earlier in the spring. He chose the truck on several days just so Dez wouldn't be so cold. What a good g-pa. She's more accustomed to riding now. We'll see how well she does as the temps drop.
  I finished the Cherry family calendar for next year! Now to get it printed. Need 15 of them this year instead of 10. The other nieces and nephews want one too.  T said it'd be easier to go downtown and have that little publishing company do it. I may just check into that. Ink has gone up (AGAIN) for my printer. It normally costs me about $8-9 to make one on card stock. Not too bad really for Christmas. We'll see how it goes. Last year was a bust and I didn't send out any.
  Talked to Kate today. Elkland is holding it's own. We had a nice visit. I'm anxious to get up that way to visit. Gonna make that happen real soon. Here she is about a year ago, little more.

This picture (in case you can't read the fine print)is a picture of GW Atteberry's boyhood home back in Kentucky. Was taken by a loonnnng shirt tail relative several years back. Genealogists are great people! Over on the left you can barely see a dark outline of a barn that's been around a really long time. Keep in mind GW was here in Mo in 1837! How cool is that?

You probably remember this one! We were sick so Allen brought in snow for us. I believe the story goes. Must have been a snowgirl- looks like an apron. How about , Sandi? Got anything to add. lol

Last night's meat. Cruchy baked chicken. Looked good so I tried it. Was nice and juicy, crunchy and not too bad for chicken. Nothing can beat old fashion fried chicken though. Tonight I guess I'll make some oriental rice and chicken. Sounds pretty good right now. And thinking of throwing in some egg drop soup! Never made it but think I'll give it a whirl. Of course if my back gives out before all this happens it will be fish sandwiches from McDonalds! You just never know around here. I sure hate eating so dang late but I sure like sitting down to the table with my honey. It's also bread day. Making a loaf for me (white) and a loaf of rye for T. Sure is smelling good!

  If you haven't noticed I normally start this about 5 a.m. and add to it through out the day and post late afternoon/early evening. Takes me all day to find something to say lol . Breads calling!

  One loaf down and one to go. That's the only bad thing about using the breadmaker for kneading. It takes a very long time to make them one at a time. Of course I'm not exactly too busy.

 

Monday, Monday

  Haven't posted in a few days. What else is new? Not much going on but the rent, as they say. lol We had a good rain this weekend! My gosh! Had 5.4" on Saturday! Came down in buckets. Had another set of storms come thru yesterday. Possible tornado touch down in Washburn and another sited in NWAr. . Haven't checked the rain gauge after another 3" came down. Will look in a bit. Ended up with 8.3" for the two days. Yay! That almost catches us up on the year. Not quite tho.
 Just finished a bite for breakfast and time to start my day again. T and Dez left about an hour ago. Outside of the wonderful rain that we had, we had a nice weekend. T didn't work any OT and took all three days off. We pretty much just hung around the house, watched races. T did most of the outside chores especially while it was raining.
 Friday night we had smothered steak, creamed taters and peas.

They're smothered so you can't see them lol . Just put the taters in. Was so hungry by the time they were done I forgot to take a picture.

Buck is chowin' down too. Poor old fella, has quite a time on occasion but he sure likes his senior feed.

 

 
 For brunch Saturday morning we had bacon, tater cakes, eggs and toast.

Wonderful Wednesday

  OMGosh, it's 65* and will top out in the 70's today. So much more pleasant than in the 90's like yesterday. I felt pretty good most of the day. Was sick last night and went to bed at 8:15. Woke up at 2:30 which is not bad.
  Day before, we made it down to see Sandi and R. Had a nice visit. Wish we could have arrived earlier so we'd had more time.
  Oooohhh, I figured out that our TV can read the jpg's on a flash drive and have a slide show! How cool is that? Seeing my photos that big. Some of them anyway.

Yesterday's daybreak

Wasn't as pretty this a.m....actually had a few raindrops. Yay! But not near enough. It's time to start bringing in houseplants. Weather says it may get down to 45* tonight. Some of the plants just don't like it that cold. Sprayed a few with bug spray so I don't bring them in the house with spiders or wasps.

Anyone else this anal? I put my sheets/pillowcases all in one case so I don't have to hunt for them. We use 4 pillows of which 3 are mine (haha)and 2 sheets of course.

My baby chicks are still with us! They are a few weeks old now and she hasn't lost them or let someone get them. They are already sleeping on the roost with her. Still can't get the banties to do that. Never have actually tried as I thought they'd just naturally seek higher ground. They aren't very smart or brave. I think they stay down 'cause they are afraid of the big hens.

What's for dinner? Last night we had HB steak, fried taters and peas. I say we but really mean T. I didn't eat. Wasn't up to it. Had Spanish rice for a couple of days, homemade Salisbury steak one night. Spaghetti one night. Pizza. blah blah blah  I'm like gma Sprinkle. I'm just tired of trying to figure it out. haha

Guess I'd better go cruise through the recipes and see if anything strikes my fancy. 

Some days are diamonds.  

  This one is for Sandi.

Can you say big sky? Reminds me of Wyoming. Blue skies......

Betty looking for trouble. If she fell on that fence that would be the end of it! lol

Ready to go! I'm sure he'll never see it until it gets there. He can't find his way back here. lol He'll get better as time goes by. We've had a headstart.
  Gonna be a hot one today. Air back on soon. Two days of it, max. Cold front coming through and into real fall.

Saturday

  It's gonna be another wonderful Saturday. Right now it's 56* and 5:21a.m.. will be up in the 70's. What more could you ask for?
  Lost a hen yesterday. Not sure why. Sometimes they just quit. No injuries etc. Another hen found herself a foot long baby snake and had him for dinner. Didn't look dangerous but she kept running off with it and ate it before I could get a good look.  haha It was black and grey. The best I can do.
  Too many irons in the fire, as usual. Need to say no to myself. lol

He was actually keeping his balance but looks like "we caught one this big!" 

His first ride. 1976- 3 yrs old



Grow up way too fast!

 And the years just fly by.

Throwaway Thursday

  Gosh, here it is Thursday already! Time is flying by and yet I don't seem to get much done. What else is new? Yesterday T got the tractor/PTO going and was able to put hay out for the horses and move the other bales into a better configuration for getting more hay. Got gas delivered and taxes taken care of! Three big things on the list scratched off. Yay! I screwed up the taxes and had to file an amended one. Ohh, much better now. lol
  Speaking of lists, I need to scratch off a few things on my longer term list. Like getting the little baskets done for the stockings, the annual calendar etc etc. The time will get away from me like always.
  Almost time to start bringing in houseplants for the winter. Gotta spray them first and re-pot a couple with T's help. Guess that means I need to buy some potting soil. Boy, there is always something. As if you all didn't know that already.

This luna moth on Sandi's hand is just exquisite. They are so large and beautiful not to mention friendly.

As fast as time goes by, won't be too long for the guys are off to camp. Better start gather stuff now. haha

On the left of this wayback picture is none other than Ira Rethford! I can hardly see him in that skinny little fella!

And this one I wanted to share with you. He is Samuel Sprinkle - the Sprinkle that settled in Seligman and is buried there.  He was an interesting fella, don't you think? I believe he is a descendant of the "Silver Dollar" man as they call him. A Sprinkle minted his own money if memory serves, hence the name.
 

Chilly Monday and Tuesday

 So far it's down to 51*..there's still time to drop a little lower. Just now breaking day. Well, I didn't get far yesterday. It's now Tuesday , 5:43 a.m.. Monday was a stone day. Hoping for a diamond day.
 Temp right now-47* was a cool ride for T and Dez this a.m...he pulled out the winter gear. So did Dez. She about froze her butt off yesterday. She was running late and didn't have time to get extra gear on. Never complained though.
 Still chilly outside! Just finished chores and watering my outside houseplants. Almost time to bring them in. Gotta get the bed in the new plant room tore down and tables set up. On the list for these days off. I refrain from saying this tri-- in case I ever take this public. haha Don't want people searching for a tri-- to find my blog hahahaha......

 One from the wayback....note the eight ball on the left side of the picture, cue ball by T's shoulder. The 8 ball started in T's mouth and went in the corner pocket! Trick shooter: Bob M.  Those were some good times.

He's lucky the other photo of this nap was in the other computer. lol Not that we're boring people or anything. I'm glad he's comfy enough to rest.

 

Heat wave finally over!

  I'm thinking it's finally going to stay gone. The oppressive heat that is. Dang, am I glad. It's 71* now at almost 2 p.m.. was down to 63* a bit earlier. Yay!
 From yesterday's ride and party: Almost the last break --

Birthdays (not including Jeff and Cheryl)

Another boy announcementHad a short nap and the power went out about 4 for a split second. Glad this thing "saves" every couple of minutes.

I've been cooking a roast in the crock pot all day. Gonna be yummy, I'm sure. The sun came out earlier and it's now topping out about 75*! What a gorgeous day!

Some days are diamonds!