..................................LIBERTY HOMESTEAD

SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING CATS

2012-01-26T23:25:00.000-06:00

My furry children are finally all here under one roof. The little feral family was the last group to be brought over to the new cat home in the barn. I left them for last because I wanted them to have some stress-free time (without the other cats around) and hoped the transition would be easier if they were relaxed when I picked them up and placed them in carriers. For the most part, that worked. Gracie and Annie seemed much less feral than they were a few months ago. They allowed me to pet them for longer than I'd expected. They even purred when I petted them and that was the progress I'd always hoped would come. That doesn't mean they'll accept affection tomorrow, but for now, I'm happy with the progress and I'm still willing to let them be who they are. The girls' brother, Timmy, did get a bit frightened when I needed to pick him up and put him into his carrier, but he did well on the ride over here and seemed happy to be reunited with his sisters.

I brought Gracie here last night. She cried when I took her into the cat room but the other cats, who are now old pros at navigating in their new areas, greeted her and soon she was out of the carrier and under the couch. That was fine since she felt safer there. Today she was out and about climbing on one of the cat condos. When I brought Annie over today, she also cried a bit but then we heard a little kitty voice echoing the cries, but in a softer tone. I took the cat carrier to the couch and opened the door. Annie cried and her sister, Gracie, answered each time. It only took a minute for Annie to decide she wanted to join her sister under the couch. They were there most of the afternoon but will come out when they're ready.

Tonight it was Timmy's turn. He was the last kitty left at the other house and I was not about to leave him there alone all night. He and his sisters had never been apart, except for the one night they were spayed and he was neutered. They are inseparable. Timmy was hesitant (which is putting it mildly) to go into the carrier but as strange as it might seem, he gave up the fight and went inside it right after I told him Annie and Gracie were fine and were waiting on him. I'm not sure cats understand much of what we say to them, but I'm convinced they do know when we're trying to help them. Once in the carrier, he seemed calm and didn't make a sound on the way here. After being taken to the cat area in the barn, he sat in the carrier for awhile until he heard Gracie calling to him. She somehow knew he'd arrived and since she has the softest voice of the three, I knew she was the one calling. I took Timmy to the couch as I'd done for Annie and both kitty girls "talked" to him and he answered them. He then left the carrier and joined them under the couch. They can stay tucked safely under the couch until they're ready to join the others. They'll come out to eat and use the litter box but it might take some time for them to adjust to their new home. That's ok. We have time. I'm just happy they're all here now.

COUCH KITTIES

2012-01-23T20:34:00.000-06:00

The cat area in the barn is feeling more cozy now that we have a comfy couch in there - compliments of my generous kindred-cat-spirit, Chris. She bought a new couch and brought her old one here for the furry tails and me and we love it. Last night I found Baxter doing a headstand behind one of the pillows. His fuzzy little tush and tail were up in the air and that was all that could be seen of him. Of course, I didn't have the camera with me at that moment. Elliot was curled up in a ball with his head between his paws at the same time Baxter was headstanding. Tonight I found Bailey and Casey curled up together on the couch but by the time I had my camera ready, they had moved from that cute position. Blooper was sitting all by himself in the middle of the couch when I left to come back into the house. Before I tucked all the furry ones in for the night, I placed another basket bed in the room for them. They're always curious about anything new. Casey, Roxie, and Big Tig took turns investigating the new bed and Roxie finally curled up in it on her Tony the Tiger towel. I turned out the lights and bid them good night. I can't wait to see what they'll get into tomorrow.

DISCONNECTED AND DISTRACTED

2012-01-16T08:28:00.000-06:00

The days since Christmas and New Year's Day have passed quickly but they've not been without some frustration. Our internet connection was down for three days and I was having withdrawal. It didn't help that Glenn and I had both been sick and neither of us was very patient when it came to feeling better. He's back at work today and I'm finally feeling well enough to do laundry, pay bills, and take down Christmas decorations. It was fine to have left out the decorations since I actually appreciated the excuse to extend the holiday season. One thing that makes this recovery time easier is the fact I only have a few steps to travel outside to the barn in order to care for my cats. They're doing remarkably well and seem to be thriving in their new environment. Apparently the cats are more adaptable than I am, though I will admit this house fits us well and we're happy in our new place too. Over the weekend I ventured to the local drug store to pick up more cough medicine and Advil and noticed a parking lot full of cars at the Butter Street Barn, a quaintly painted yellow building filled to the brim with antiques, hand-crafted goods, and all sorts of vintage accessories. I've known about this wonderful place for years and used to shop there from time to time. For some reason I simply fell out of the habit of going there. The shop is a local fixture and the owner offers hometown hospitality. There was a "barn burning" sale in progress and I felt drawn to the event. The shop is just a stone's throw from the small grocery store where I do the weekly shopping. Maybe I'd been put off by the new (and somewhat inconvenient) entrance or the limited weekend-only hours, I'm not sure, but I know the barn was calling my name on Saturday. I was amazed at how the shop had changed for the better since I'd last been there. The owner told me which vendors offered sales and said she would work with me on prices for anything I might want. That was music to my ears and I shopped for over an hour. I'd been thinking about adding some inexpensive framed art or photos to the walls of the cat barn in order to cozy up the place so I had a good reason to browse, as if I needed one. The cats won't care about decorated walls, of course, but I'd like their new home to be a pleasant and fun area to visit. As my friend, Deanna, reminded me over the weekend, the cat barn is my substitute cabin for now and it's probably natural to want to do a little decorating in there. I was fortunate to not only find a few cat-related pieces at the Butter Street Barn, but also a few primitive items and one darling handmade old-quilt bear at a price I could not resist. I've made such bears myself but this one called to me and asked me to take her home. She's now sitting in the parlor on a small antique chair and looks at home there. I went back to the shop on Sunday with the hope of purchasing a quilt bear to display in the sunroom, but the shop was closed. I'll have to wait a whole week to go there again but maybe that will give my wallet time to recover. I must be feeling better since I'm ready to get busy decorating the cat rooms. It's always good to have something to anticipate and enjoy.

WHEN KITTIES ARE HAPPY, MAMA IS HAPPY

2012-01-12T22:52:00.002-06:00

It was so good to spend time with my furry ones today. Getting them here took a long time though. Our first goal was to have the barn ready for them before we actually moved into the house. Then Glenn changed his mind (without telling me) and decided we needed to paint and put down flooring inside the house before we worked on the cat area. I'm very grateful he installed wood flooring in the kitchen, guest room, hallways, and bathrooms, but that set us back quite a bit when it came to relocating the cats and made it necessary for me to make twice-daily trips to the former residence to care for them. We kept setting dates for them to be brought here, but we also kept missing those dates. We began this move in mid-July and by New Year's Day, we finally had a few cats here. During this journey we encountered many obstacles, but I don't need to list them. I'm simply happy to have a warm safe place for the cats and to be able to have my whole family come and visit again. My new goal is to keep moving forward and not dwell on all the frustrating things we've experienced. I didn't expect this to be an easy move, and it hasn't been, but we love this house and it's definitely our home now. The cats seem to have adjusted quickly to their new home and I'm able to spend much more time with them. Today I remembered to take my camera to the barn but after two photos, my batteries died. What had begun as a rainy day, turned into a snowy, windy one, so I didn't run back into the house for batteries. After playing with and caring for the cats, I went to Dollar General for a few household items. It's closer than the grocery store, and smaller, so I can get in and out quickly. Since I hadn't done any post-Christmas shopping, I browsed the clearance aisle and found a wonderful set of 5 stacked boxes. The largest one had previously been priced at $5, the next size was $3.50, the next, $3, and the two smallest ones were $2 and $1. I was pleasantly surprised when I learned they were included in the store's 70% off sale. I bought all 5 boxes for $4.35 (not including tax). They'll be perfect for my quaint little sewing room. I'll make vintage-looking labels for them and have great storage for buttons, spools, and notions. I also found some cute cat toys marked 70% off, so the furry ones received new catnip mice and jingle balls tonight. They were so sweet and acted like anxious little children while they waited for me to open the packages. Overall it was a good day for the cats and for me.

COMING OUT OF THE FOG

2012-01-12T01:24:00.000-06:00

This is the smaller of two cat rooms in the back of the barn. The cats have a great view of the surrounding area and they already seem to like it. I found the little doll bed (next to the wall on the right) at a thrift store and thought it would make a great cat bed. My friend, Deanna, thought the Minnie Mouse rug would be cute in the cat room too. What cat wouldn't want a mouse rug?

I was relieved to think I had sailed through the holidays without "catching" anything. We hosted family members and friends during Christmas and New Year's and enjoyed some wonderful memory-making visits, but the day after New Year's Day I awoke with a headache, sore throat, and chills. I know when people contract viruses, most of them patiently endure it then return to their lives. It doesn't work that way for me. Due to the asthma and allergies with which I've been blessed, even the mildest headcold can turn into something more serious. I will admit I'm a whiner when it comes to being under the weather. I despise feeling ill, especially at a time when I want to be doing things like taking down Christmas decorations and spending time with the cats in their new rooms. I had hoped to invite my granddaughter to come and stay for a few days while she was on winter break from school, but I didn't want to share this "bug" with her. I'm now into the 12th day of whatever this is. The coughing was bad enough but wheezing and shortness of breath recently moved to the top of my list of whines and complaints. I keep telling myself this will pass and then I'll be able to do all those things I can only think about doing right now, but when the next coughing and wheezing session begins, I have to wonder exactly WHEN it will pass. So that's been my whine, but I was recently given a profound lesson in humility. Yesterday, my sweet country neighbor, Rose, was walking her little dog and when she saw me at the door letting my dog outside, she waved. She's been anxious to see the cats so I invited her to come on over and meet me in the barn. She told me her husband, Don, had experienced a terrible night. He had been coughing so hard he could barely catch his breath. She said he was extremely congested and afraid to be alone. I already knew Don had been diagnosed with advanced emphysema. He needs to use oxygen and is basically homebound now. All of a sudden my temporary illness and subsequent impatience was not even a blip on the map. Yes, it's still a source of aggravation and I, too, feel a bit fearful when I can't stop coughing long enough to catch a breath, but this irritating "bug" I have will eventually work its way out of my system. Don's constant coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath challenges will be with him for the rest of his days. If I made just one New Year's resolution, it would be to stop whining and be ever mindful there are many people dealing with so much more than I. God bless my dear neighbor and please help me to think of what others are going through before I think of myself.

GREAT START TO A NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T04:27:00.002-06:00

We finally have cats on the farm...in the barn. l worked on the cat areas this week and though there are still things I'd like to do and need to do, it's fit for kitties now. The windows were installed, the walls were painted, and today we bought carpet remnants for the floor in each room - there are two. I didn't want wall-to-wall floor covering and it's a good thing. The "remnants" were large and heavy as it was. We used Glenn's pickup truck to haul them from the store and he singlehandedly transferred them to the cat areas of the barn. What a difference a little carpeting makes. The rooms seem nicer and cozier. The heaters are working and both areas are beginning to feel warmer. I have some decorating plans for the rooms and Glenn has some ideas about building shelves and ramps on which the cats can climb and play. So...we have more to do out there, but for now, I'm happy to have some of my furry ones here. Baxter, Bailey, Elliot, and Rusty are snug as bugs in their new rooms and seem to be adjusting to their new home. It took a little time for Bailey and Rusty to decide it was safe to come out of the cat carriers, but Baxter and Elliot seemed anxious to explore their surroundings. Tomorrow I'll bring over the rest of the clan. It's a good way to start the new year.

THE DAYS AFTER . . . .

2011-12-27T10:40:00.002-06:00

My dear cousin, Jeanette, has the gift of writing and uses phrases I borrow from time to time. She recently sent an email and mentioned "...skidding into Christmas...". She was right-on-the-mark with that phrase. I did indeed skid into Christmas. I saw it coming down the track like a freight train and tried to apply the brakes in order to make the pre-Christmas feeling last, but I was unsuccessful in slowing down the time. How I wish I had the power to stop time for a little while - just long enough to complete projects and finish cleaning, decorating, and baking with time for a little relaxing and movie-watching before the festivities begin. That's my dream, my goal, every single year, but I always fall short. I won't use the word, "fail" because my efforts were not failures, but there are always things I want to do that don't get done and things I forget. The weeks prior to Christmas seemed more hectic this year than in years past, unless my memory is faulty, and that's a distict possibility. Actually, I do remember being as tired and worn in past years as I was in this one, but time is the great healer. Jeanette expresses exactly how I feel when she suggests (I'm paraphrasing here) we keep trying to present Norman Rockwell versions of Christmas but those fall apart. Why do I feel I need to present a perfect holiday? First, being a flawed human, it's impossible to be perfect at anything.....and second, there is no need to try to be perfect. My family and friends know who I am. They know I am flawed. They forgive my shortcomings (I hope) and support my efforts by their words and actions. I'm the one who is hard on myself. Everyone who came to join us in this new old house during the holidays was very kind and complimentary. It seemed to me everybody had a good time being here. Glenn and I had a wonderful time hosting them. Today I'm forgiving myself for not remembering to give my sister her gift bag that's sitting in the closet, for not remembering to make the delicious grape salad I had planned, for not remembering to let the grandkids bake cookies on Christmas Day as we'd said we would, for not letting my holiday meal warm sufficiently in the oven before serving it, and for not realizing 18 people could NOT sit around the table in the diningroom. None of those things caused the celebration to end. So what if we didn't have a Norman Rockwell Christmas. Who does? If I tried to list all the things that went well, I'd be here typing for a long time. I'm attempting to get a headstart on the New Year by trying to let go of the things I considered shortcomings. I want to move forward and strive to do better. In my life, there is always room for improvement. I sincerely hope your Christmas was merry and that your New Year will be bright and happy.

HERE A TWEAK, THERE A TWEAK

2011-12-15T10:40:00.001-06:00

YOU CAN CLICK ON EACH PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT

Some days I spend more time fussing with details than paying attention to the "whole picture". I guess that's the curse of being a detail-oriented person. Maybe I became that kind of person when I was in nursing school. We were taught to leave no task undone and no detail unrecorded in patients' charts. Actually, that was drilled into us. While that's a good and necessary thing in nursing, it causes me grief in my private life. I'm working on the house to have it company-ready for the holidays and one would think I'd be concerned about unpacking the rest of my moving boxes or cleaning floors and dusting shelves. Those things are important to me but I haven't been working on floors or shelves as much as tweaking insignificant details of the display in the Hoosier cabinet. I'm not sure why that matters so much to me, but it does. Arranging the gingerbread items is fun and gives me joy. At least that's how I justify spending so much time doing it. I'm finally finished with it (I think) and I'm going to move on to the next thing over which I can obsess. Note the beautiful rag rug heart on the floor in front of the Hoosier. My dear friend Deanna gave that to me as one of my "countdown to Christmas" presents. We do this gift exchange almost every year and it's so much fun. How did she know I needed a rug for that very spot? Merry Tweaking!

CHRISTMAS DECORATING IN PROGRESS

2011-12-08T20:33:00.001-06:00

I made the little curtain to hide a non-working wall air conditioner we plan to remove in the Spring.

I'm trying to adjust to this computer but it doesn't have all my add-ons (I guess that's what they're called) so some things are not as I'd like them to be. One problem seems to be our new internet provider. It's the only one we were able to find that serviced this area and it's as slow as molasses going uphill in January. Glenn helped me download the latest version of Picasa but it's not as easy to use as the old one and the latest version of "blogger.com" is driving me crazy! It's much less user-friendly than the old one. Why is it when things are "updated", they're often made more complicated? 'Tis the season for being long on frustration and short on patience. I think I used to be a fairly patient person but this move and all the changes and compromises have just about used up my last ounce of patience. At any rate, I did manage to do a little holiday decorating. Last Sunday, my daughter and her family helped us trim the trees in the family room and sunroom. That was a very nice way to work in a visit and family dinner. It's turned freezing cold here, but I still want to string white lights on the old split-rail fence. That task can wait for a warmer day since neither Glenn nor I want to go outside and do that right now. I also need to unpack my lighted ceramic houses and display them on the built-in shelves in the family room. I can't wait to see how they look in there. Even if I don't have everything decorated as I'd planned, it's enough. I may be lacking patience right now but I remain very thankful for my family, my friends, and this house, which feels more like home every day.

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN JIGGEDY JIG

2011-12-02T13:35:00.001-06:00

Well, he's back. Socks (aka Smokey Joe) has returned "home", though he doesn't appear to be very happy about it. He's truly a sweet boy most of the time, but he showed an aggressive streak toward Sara, his new sister. Despite all Rita's attempts to allow the cats to co-habitate and adjust to each other, Socks, who was re-named Baxter, guarded the food bowls and litter boxes and did not allow Sara near them. As one would imagine, that caused Sara much distress. He also chased his new sis around the house and she was too terrorized to box his little ears for him, so she spent some time hiding under the bed - not a good start at all. As if that wasn't enough, Baxter marked Rita's bed as his territory and left her some smelly presents. If someone had predicted he would have acted out in that manner, I wouldn't have believed it. He's still a sweet lovable boy and purrs when he's held. I haven't seen one ounce of aggression from him and he hasn't had any "accidents" or marked territory as far as I can tell. He's also been fine with the other cats. In fact, yesterday I witnessed Bailey and him playing in the floor and neither was acting aggressively.They finished playing and parted as friends. I have some alpha males and one alpha female who wouldn't put up with any guff from Baxter if he acted out here as he did at Rita's house. When I took him back into the cat room, the cats smelled him, then walked away. Baxter exited the cat carrier and lay down on the floor in the midst of the tribe. I can't tell any difference in him from when he left here. He has re-adjusted and seems fine. I wonder if he thought he was simply on vacation for a little while. I surely hope Sara has recovered well from her visitor's intrusion.

A JOYOUS THANKSGIVING

2011-11-24T14:50:00.007-06:00

Glenn and I find ourselves home alone today, but that's ok. Our family will gather here on Saturday to celebrate a day of thanks. I made a big pot of vegetable soup for lunch today and I have a pumpkin pie in the oven. The whole house smells great. Glenn is in the barn working on the cat area and besides cooking and washing dishes, I'm unpacking moving boxes. There are many more to empty before the task is completed. Some days I wonder if we'll ever be totally finished moving, but when I think of how far we've come, I know we're doing fine. I need to remember we've moved 32 years of accumulation from the other house. The new old house is larger than the other one, and though I've given away many items so far, I'm still managing to fill up every cupboard and shelf. This morning when Glenn suggested I must like clutter, I told him I didn't consider my prim and country things to be clutter. I think of them as aids to decorating. I also told him I was attempting to decorate in a tasteful manner and that I was only using the things I already have. The problem is, I may already have TOO MUCH. One day I'll most assuredly give away most of my "treasures", but for now, I'm enjoying them and feeling very grateful for a wonderful old home in which to display and use them. My collections are not hurting anyone and for whatever reason, they bring me joy. However you choose to spend Thanksgiving, and however you find joy, have a wonderful day. Please remember to give thanks for the freedom we enjoy in this country and for the men and women who serve to ensure that freedom prevails. Happy Thanksgiving!

A HOME FOR SOCKS

2011-11-21T19:33:00.006-06:00

IN THE CARRIER ON THE WAY TO HIS NEW LIFE - HE WAS A GOOD RIDER

SOCKS IMMEDIATELY MADE HIMSELF AT HOME

HE LOVED PLAYING WITH SARA'S TOYS
SARA WAS WATCHING HIM FROM A SAFE DISTANCE

The little black and white cat that appeared on our doorstep about six weeks ago has found his forever home with Rita, the daughter of my kindred cat friend, Chris. Although Glenn was calling him "Smokey Joe", the little cat's name is now "Socks", which is fitting since he has four white feet and looks as if he has socks on them. Rita had a beloved cat named Socks years ago and this little guy looks so much like him. Socks joins a cat named Sara and will be her brother and friend if she will allow it. Sara is a beautiful kitty I was privileged to cat-sit for a few days during the summer. She was very sweet and loving but I'm told she can be a bit of a princess at times. Since I haven't heard anything to the contrary, I assume Socks and Sara are tolerating each other fairly well. I surely miss the little guy but I know without a doubt he has a wonderful home and will be loved for all his days.

BITS AND PIECES

2011-11-17T23:48:00.011-06:00

Bits and pieces of my life are still in boxes waiting to be unpacked, but some things do seem to be coming together in this new old house. The transition is going more slowly than I'd hoped. One problem is I can't do everything at once or be everywhere at the same time. I think I used to be a fairly patient person but I'm running very low on that commodity. Last night another "piece" fell into place though, so there is progress. I unloaded a small white vintage cupboard, moved it out of the lower level of our former home, and pulled it into the garage so Glenn and I could put it in the truck for transport to the farm. I'd stored lots of books in the little cupboard but it sat in the downstairs for years, ignored and unloved. I cleaned it thoroughly and though some might think it needs a coat of paint, I like the worn vintage look so I'm going to leave it as it is. I just knew it would fit perfectly in my farm kitchen. I filled the little cupboard with cookbooks, vintage Pyrex dishes, and old table linens, then wondered why I hadn't used it in the kitchen at the other house. At any rate, it has a new home now and I'm enjoying it once again. I hope I'll be able to pull the other bits and pieces together soon.

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

2011-11-14T14:36:00.006-06:00

OUTSIDE VIEW OF NEW WINDOWS
INSIDE - RIGHT SIDE
INSIDE - LEFT SIDE

After months of waiting for windows to be placed in the cat area of the barn, I finally have them! Glenn installed two wonderfully large windows over the weekend. That wouldn't have happened if not for our generous friends, Chris and John. THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WINDOWS! Our friends had newer windows installed and offered us the ones that had been removed. At first, Glenn said the windows were much bigger than he'd planned for, but after he measured the areas, (and after a bit of tug-of-war on our parts), he decided they would fit just fine. He still has the inside and outside trim to finish, but the windows are in and I'm very grateful for them and for our kind and generous friends. It might take another week or two for Glenn and I to clean up the area and get the furry ones moved to the farm, but that's ok. I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel so I know it's really going to happen. I just couldn't put my cats into an area where there was no natural light. Why the original owners never installed windows there is anyone's guess, but we have them now and that's what counts. It's one more thing we can cross off the "to-do" list. That's another one done...and about a hundred to go.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

2011-11-09T20:28:00.004-06:00

THANK YOU GINA! I LOVE EVERYTHING!!!

What a nice surprise to find a care package from Gina on my front porch this week! Thank you so much Girlfriend! The first surprise was that my mail carrier actually came into the yard and stepped upon the porch to drop off the package. He's brave. Our mailbox is outside the fence and across the road, and it's a good thing my big protective dog, Mandy, wasn't in the yard at mail delivery time. Gina's package of gifties included two cat books, a set of decorative wrought iron kitchen utensils, a darling little "apple pie" pillow, and a little black and white stuffed kitty which immediately joined two others on my cat shelf. I have just the place for the utensil set and the pillow has already found a home in my kitchen. Those books are so cute! I'd never seen either of them so I look forward to sitting down and reading. The cat yearbook looks like a lot of fun. Thank you so much my blogging cyber friend. Your sweet care package was much appreciated.

I've been so consumed with working in the house and traveling to this one twice a day, that I've not blogged much lately, but a few weeks ago I posted about a package I received from Linda Parker (I'm still loving those samplers!) and I've now shared about receiving the package from Gina, but I neglected to mention the wonderful box I received from my dear angel cousin, Jeanette, about two weeks ago. I can't begin to list all the goodies she sent because I'm afraid I'll leave out something important, but there were all sorts of useful and sweet things for my new old home. I'll post a photo soon. Jeanette included a huge bag of the best homemade caramel corn I've ever tasted. By the way, J, it's GONE. Glenn and I are now hooked on your caramel corn. It's absolutely delicious.

I'm not sure how I've come to be so very blessed with such generous friends and angel cousin, but I love and appreciate all of them....and all of you who are so kind as to continue to read my humble ramblings. Thank you dear friends. All of you are very special to me.

BUSY AS BEES

2011-10-30T18:47:00.013-05:00

SHELF AND QUILT IN GUEST ROOM

GUEST ROOM BED AND QUILT PICTURE
MAKING THE LAUNDRY AREA COZY
WALL OPPOSITE WOODEN IRONING BOARD
KITCHEN NEEDED SOME RED ACCENTS
KITCHEN COUNTER

DINING ROOM

GLENN HANGING CURTAINS

THE "PARLOR"

YOU CAN CICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I last posted. Time flies whether we're having fun or not. Glenn and I have been working on the interior of the house but the cat area in the barn still needs to be arranged. That means I'm over here at our former home at least twice a day, caring for the cats and giving them attention, checking email, packing up the remnants we left here, and choosing songs for our contemporary chorus to sing each Sunday. Glenn often wonders what takes so long when I'm here, but he rarely comes with me to see for himself.

Last week we took down and cleaned the curtains in the parlor and washed those windows and put up a couple shelves. I also washed quilts and wallhangings. This week, Glenn worked on baseboard and trim for the rooms that had been left unfinished. Today he and I put up more shelves and I was finally able to hang some quilts. It's looking more like home all the time. We had taken all the shelves, quilts, pictures, and wallhangings off the walls in this (former) house and had to store them for over a year. We did that in preparation for a move that didn't take place because the seller backed out of the deal. I'm now realizing how much I missed having those things around me.

My sister was visiting the farm a couple weeks ago and said, "This house is more 'you' than the other house ever was", and she's right. I'm finding new places for things and new uses for my old "stuff". That's one thing I'm enjoying about living at the farm - making do with what I already have. I'm loving it more each day.

IF I COULD TALK TO THE ANIMALS

2011-10-23T21:39:00.011-05:00

CONTENTED COWS

GOATS GALORE

CASEY (CODY'S BROTHER)

Actually, I do talk to animals - all the time. Today I talked to cows and goats. This morning I was on my way here to feed and care for the cats and saw the neighbor's cows grazing and feeding their calves. They often wander over to the fence when I slow down to talk to them and I often wonder what they're thinking. I imagine it's something like, "Who does she think she is, the cow whisperer?" I took a few photos of the cows this morning and then saw another neighbor's goats out frolicking in the field. They're so cute when they jump and chase each other. I'm truly loving this country living.

I talk to the cats every day too. Tonight I was doing cat care and Casey, Cody's brother, jumped on my back and lay down while I leaned over to clean litter boxes. In the five years he and Cody lived with me, Casey had never done that. He actually did it twice tonight. Each time he lay on my back, he wrapped his paws around my neck and nuzzled my hair. I don't know if he was picking up where Cody left off, whether he felt needy, or simply decided it was his turn since Cody is gone. Whatever the reason, I liked it and told him he could do that anytime he felt like it.

THIS HAS BEEN A MOVING EXPERIENCE

2011-10-21T12:30:00.012-05:00

ELLIIOT FROLICKING IN PAPER - HE HAS THIS FESTISH
OH MY....THE LAST PHOTO TAKEN OF CODY
ELLIOT LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO GET INTO
RUSTY LOVES TO HAVE HIS HEAD RUBBED

PEEK-A-BOO, I SEE YOU TOO

ELLIOT AND RUSTY

RUSTY - TRYING TO CATCH A CATNAP

Our move to the country is ongoing and at times frustrating. We're living in our new old house on the farm but have left some small items here at the former residence - things under the bathroom and kitchen sinks, pictures, and cleaning supplies, to name a few. I come here to feed and care for the cats twice a day and check email but I can't bring myself to box up all those things just yet. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it seems like too much trouble....or is it that the act of packing the last of our belongings will be so final?

We've been told we'll have internet service on Monday, but that's what we were told last Monday. One of the frustrations of moving to the country has been securing phone, cable, and internet connections. The well known companies do not service our area, but how were we supposed to know that? I guess it's another case of live and learn. We seem to be doing a lot of learning these days.

When I come here the cats love to play and run through the nearly-empty house. They sit here and help me type and lie on the floor directly in the paths I need to walk. Such helpers they are. I do love them though and their antics make me smile when sometimes I feel like crying. We're into the third month of this move and I'm not yet seeing the light at the end of the tunnel but maybe the furry tailed ones will help me through it.

GOODBYE SWEET LITTLE FRIEND

2011-10-17T12:04:00.009-05:00

CODY AS A KITTEN

My heart is broken today. A short while ago I found Cody, one of my sweet little furries lying lifeless on the floor. He was at the base of a tall set of shelves he loved to climb so I'm guessing he jumped or fell and possibly hit his head on the way down. He hadn't been sick and there was nothing to indicate he'd been injured. He had climbed those shelves hundreds of times. Last night he jumped on my back (his usual trick) as I was scooping litter boxes, so he was feeling fine at that time. I'll never know for sure what happened. I only know I can't stop thinking if he'd been in his new home at the farm, this wouldn't have happened. The new cat area isn't ready yet and neither is the enclosure. That has been very frustrating for me. Apparently, the job of readying the cat area was moved to the lowest position on the priority list, but not by my choice. Lamenting what might have been or should have been will not bring back my little Cody. I do have other cats but Cody was one of a kind. Each one is special in his own way. I dearly loved Cody and will miss him greatly. Rest peacefully little one.

DOWN COUNTRY ROADS

2011-10-15T11:55:00.020-05:00

TAKING THE SCENIC ROUTE
ANTIQUE MALL IN NEW PARIS, OHIO

MY ATTEMPT AT A FALL DISPLAY

LOVE THOSE MUMS - ACTUALLY DARKER THAN SHOWN

YOU CAN CLICK ON EACH PHOTOS FOR A LARGER VIEW

This week I took a day off from unpacking and making phone calls, to meander down a country road. I left the farm and turned right at the first path to the west of us, which was Lutheran Church Road. I didn't see any churches on that road but I liked its qaint name. That road led to a busier one, State Route Rt. 35, and west from there was New Paris, Ohio where I found a wonderful farm market called "Today's Harvest" http://todaysharvestfarm.com/ A few blocks away from the market was an antique mall with four floors filled with treasures. I had a workout that day, climbing and then descending all four sets of steep stairs. I had to wonder how anyone was able to carry down larger pieces of furniture or heavy crocks since I didn't see an elevator anywhere.

The farm market clerk told me all the mums, pumpkins, and squash the market sells is grown right there. Their prices were very reasonable so I bought crimson colored mums and lots of pumpkins to arrange and display on my front porch. I only bought a few small things at the antique mall but I had such a good time browsing. I might need to go back after we're more settled. All in all it was a great day. The weather was cool and crisp and it felt good to have a little relaxing time. You know what "they" say about all work and no play.....

AND SO IT BEGINS

2011-10-10T10:51:00.009-05:00

We had barely begun unpacking the first moving boxes at the farm when a wandering visitor appeared at the door. You don't even have to guess it was a cat - a small black and white cat. Ask me if I need or want another cat. I do not, but this little guy is so friendly, so sweet, and so in need of someone to care for him that I could not look the other way - story of my life. In fact, he made sure I had to address his needs. He took up residence on my front porch. He desperately wanted inside the house but I absolutely could not allow that. The biggest reason for moving to a place with an outdoor building for cats was so my daughter and grandson could come for extended visits again. They are allergic to the furry ones I hold dear, and it's been a highly emotional struggle to truly want my family to be able to come and visit, while knowing there was no way I could possibly find responsible homes for all my adult cats. To some it may seem that I chose the cats over my family, but it's much more complicated than that. Suffice it to say, my family has been tolerant and patient above and beyond anything I had the right to ask of them and I will always be grateful to them for that.

On moving day last Wednesday, I put out a small cage and furnished it with food, water, and some soft rags and put the cat inside it to keep him from going into the house as movers came and went. He seemed to like his makeshift house and has been there every day since the move. There are more than enough rogue cats running through the countryside, and we surely don't need people tossing out their owned cats as if they're disposing of trash. People never cease to amaze me - and I don't mean that in a good way. I honestly don't know why it didn't occur to me this sort of thing might happen in the country. Maybe I was wearing my rose-colored glasses when I moved, I don't know.

What I do know is this little guy might have a chance for a loving home. One of my friends, Chris, has a daughter who is owned by one cat named Sara, who is not always open and friendly to other cats. Chris' daughter is willing to introduce the little one to the older and wiser Sara. If she's responsive to him, she may gain a home companion. We're hoping for a positive result. I have a vet appointment for the little guy this afternoon. He'll be checked for feline leukemia, among other things, and if he's pronounced healthy, he'll be on his way to a new and better life. Wish us luck!

P.S. Kitty passed his tests with flying colors. He's now here at the former residence instead of fending for himself outside at the farm. I was feeding him there but he had to spend the days and nights outside and that was a worry for me. I know he's safe now. We're one step closer to placing him in a loving home. If I hadn't already met and/or exceeded my "quota", he'd be mine. At the vet's office, he lay on his back in my arms just watching all that was going on around him. What a sweetie.

HONEY....WE'RE HOME!

2011-10-05T20:52:00.012-05:00

WE HAD THREE MEN AND A TRUCK, BUT WHO'S COUNTING?

Today was the day. Movers arrived at 8:15 am and began carrying our worldly goods to their huge truck for delivery to the farm. Glenn and I had the large furniture pieces ready to go and I'd placed tags on what was to stay. The whole ordeal (for the movers) took four and one half hours, start to finish. Well, "finish" is not the best word for what we now have. We have a mess, but after I post this, I'll be headed back to the farm for the first night's sleep there, so that will be an adventure. We'll tackle the mess one day at a time. I just gathered the basics tonight and will come back here tomorrow to pack up more small items and care for the cats since their abode in the barn is not yet ready for habitation. All in all, it was a good day and not as stressful as I thought it might be. It was tiring though. I'll bid you all a good night and thank you for following this saga to it's completion, which is actually, a new beginning.

THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP

2011-10-04T23:39:00.008-05:00

SWEET SHEEP
HANDSTITCHED SAMPLER

Today I was blessed with a visit from two very good friends, Chris and John, who used to live in my neighborhood and for whom I cat-sit when they're out of town. They've been so supportive of Glenn and me during this move. They stopped by for a visit while I was at the farm. They must have known I was in need of a break. As my friends and I were walking to the corn field behind the house, we spotted a large package leaning up against the back door. I looked at the return address and saw a familiar name - Linda Parker of Parker's Paradise:

http://parkersparadise.blogspot.com/2011/07/primitive-pantryflags.html

Linda sent me some wonderful gifts that I will definitely use in my new old house. Linda, had no way of knowing this, but the sheep picture is the exact thing I need to hang over one of the windows in my sewing room. Besides looking charming there, it will cover a little booboo on the wall. I was trying to hang a blue country star over the window and became too free with my hammer and instead of hitting the nail, I made a big dent in my wall. Thank you for coming to the rescue! I haven't yet chosen a spot for the sampler but it's in the family room right now and looks great in there. Thank you so very much for your kind spirit and thoughtfulness. I treasure all of you who read the blog and I thank you for being so supportive during this move. The movers will be here at 8am on Wednesday and I think we're ready for them. I'll just say I'm as ready as I'm going to be. This is our last night sleeping in the house that has been our home for 32 years. I think I'm ready for a new adventure.

COUNTDOWN

2011-10-03T11:01:00.010-05:00

PINK VINTAGE BATHROOM NOW MASTER BATHROOM FLOOR GLENN FINISHED LAST NIGHT MY FARM KITCHEN ANOTHER VIEW OF THE FARM KITCHEN

(YOU CAN CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM)

The time is drawing near....we'll be having the large furniture pieces moved from here on Wednesday. The movers are due here at 8am so I have my work cut out for me the next two days. I'll tag things to move and things that stay, do some cleaning so the movers won't choke on all the dust in this house, and make decisions about what to take from the fridge and what to leave here for Glenn's Wednesday morning needs. House cleaning was reduced to maintenance level the past few weeks and I don't know that I've ever let things go for so long. I simply don't see the need to keep cleaning when, as soon as we've moved, I'll have to come back here and do the deep cleaning needed for getting this house on the market. I feel fortunate we've had time on our side. What would we have done had we needed to be out of here in 30 days? I'll be coming back here to care for cats and finish packing small things until the barn is readied for my furry ones. We need to decide on heating, install windows, and clean the cat area before we can move my little ones to their new home. All of that seems minor compared to what we've done so far. Glenn finished laying wood flooring in the master bathroom last night so the floors are finished except for the baseboards and trim. I was hoping we'd have all of that done before moving in but I know Glenn will finish that when he has the time. I was at the farm until 9pm last night, making sure the rooms were ready to receive our furniture. I have a feeling moving will continue to be an ongoing process. Maybe we'll be settled in by Christmas. I can only hope.

VINTAGE IS AS VINTAGE DOES

2011-10-01T08:53:00.006-05:00

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT

Here's one more photo of my little built-in cupboard in the farm kitchen. It's finally FINISHED. I painted the interior and the shelves, which were more difficult to re-install than to remove and paint. I don't do well with little metal brackets and having to measuring distances between them, but the shelves are back up and filled. When I gathered some of my vintage kitchen accessories and tins, I found I really could have used more cupboard space. Imagine that. The farm kitchen has more cabinets than the one here, so where did I stash all those things before now? Actually, I think they multiply behind closed doors. I'll keep tweaking the cupboard since now it may look too full. Oh well. It's fun to arrange.

STUFFED

2011-09-30T22:15:00.009-05:00

CHICKEN CANISTER SET

DOLLHOUSE FURNISHINGS

"NKOTB" HEARTHROBS IN THE 90'S

MARY'S MOO MOOS

Thirty-two years worth of "stuff" is being unearthed this week. I've been letting go of things for months, but apparently I've not let go of enough. Tonight Glenn pulled out bags and boxes of forgotten stuff from the storage area under the stairs. It's been nice to have all that storage but when we had extra space, we stuffed all sorts of things into it - things we often forgot we had. Let's see, we found a box full of our daughter's New Kids on the Block memorabilia, her first dolls, a wicker doll buggy, a handmade dollhouse and furnishings, my entire collection of Mary's MooMoos in their original boxes (which I still love but don't display right now), two new glass salad bowls in their original boxes, a ceramic chicken canister set my mom and sister gave me as a Christmas gift ??? years ago, a shopping bag full of tiny wicker baskets I've been hoarding for (dare I admit it?) over 15 years, my primitive Christmas tree and garlands, and many other items which I'd completely forgotten we'd stuffed into that nifty out-of-the way storage space. Everything had been packed well and most had been encased in plastic. All that stuff is now sitting in the garage awaiting my attention. My first task tomorrow will be to go through ALL of it and choose what to give away or sell in a barn sale, and what to keep. I'm definitely keeping the canister set. In fact, we took it to the farm tonight and it's nesting on my kitchen counter. We emptied many boxes tonight and found homes for the contents but we still have a long way to go. We have too much stuff!

MISTY WATERCOLOR MEMORIES....

2011-09-29T10:54:00.011-05:00

DAUGHTER AND FAMILY - 2004

GRANDKIDS - 2003

We've been diligently moving things to the new old house and I've taken some pictures along the way but can't seem to remember to bring my camera back here so I can download the photos. I'll have to tie a string around my finger or something.

We're nearing the end of our stay at this house which has been our shelter for 32 years. Next Wednesday, October 5th, will be our last official day in residence. Our daughter grew up here, I babysat our grandkids here, and we've had many blessed years of celebrations and family gatherings for weddings, birthdays, and holidays. We've laughed with joy and cried in grief. We've rescued and found homes for so many animals I couldn't possibly count them, but all found refuge here and knew they were safe and loved. I've been holding my emotions in check during this transition, but today has been my undoing.

This morning I climbed upon a chair to retrieve boxes of photos from the top shelf of my closet. I tried to pull down too many at one time and one box slipped from my grasp. Of course, the contents spilled onto the floor and though I knew I shouldn't have, I stopped to browse through some of the pictures. Oh the memories those photos brought back to me. I was teary-eyed when I viewed pictures of family members who are now departed and felt a tug at my heartstrings when childhood photos of my daughter and grandkids surfaced. Where did all those years go? Photos of former pets brought tears to my eyes as well, and I was struck by the coincidence of how so many of my current furry friends look so much like the ones I've lost. Maybe it's not a coincidence at all?

I've been telling myself I'm ready to leave this house, and I still think I am, but I'm not so sure I'm ready to leave those memories behind. I guess I'll just have to pack them along with our material goods and find a safe place for them to reside. I'm not looking forward to clearing treasures from my backyard cabin either. That will have to wait for another time. I've experienced about all the misty memories I can handle for one day. I think I'll go shopping.

ANOTHER MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

2011-09-21T21:47:00.006-05:00

TWEAKING MY FALL DISPLAYS - FINALLY FOUND MY LEAVES

ONE LAST LITTLE GLITCH TO OVERCOME

KITCHEN FLOOR IS DONE!

GLENN AND MANDY LOOKING OVER "THEIR" JOB

Glenn finished the kitchen floor over the weekend. It looks really good and how nice it is to no longer be walking about and slipping on plastic floor coverings. Cooking dinner in the kitchen at the farm tonight was actually a pleasure. There is still a bit of hallway to finish as soon as the dryer vent is in place and two bathrooms need to have flooring installed. I've cleaned the floor in the master bedroom but I plan to go over it again before we move in the furniture. Once we're finally in the house, we can begin working on the cat areas in the barn. What a long process this has been. It's taken longer than either of us imagined, but we're in the home stretch now.

STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS

2011-09-15T23:57:00.007-05:00

I'M LOVING THIS FLOOR
COOK ONCE, EAT FOUR TIMES - CHILI AND TWICE-BAKED ZITI

I ADDED A LITTLE VALANCE TO MY KITCHEN SINK AREA - NOTHING FANCY, JUST SOMETHING I'VE HAD FOR A LONG TIME AND WANTED TO USE - IT'S A CANNING JAR PRINT

BUILT-IN SHELF IN MY SEWING ROOM

I ADDED BRAIDED RUGS TO THE SEWING ROOM FLOOR

We're making more progress at the new old house. Glenn has just about finished installing the kitchen flooring and our son-in-law, Doug, has helped us so much with plumbing and re-routing the dryer vent. Previously the vent was in the hallway floor, but I have no idea why. Now the dryer is vented to the outside as the inspector said it should be. I've been working on my sewing room and it's coming along nicely. Today I unpacked more boxes of fabric and found homes for my stashes. Once the major work of moving is done, I'll finally be able to work on a few projects. I cook at the farm nearly every day and it's a challenge to remember what ingredients to take, what I have on-hand already, and what to cook once I arrive. I spent a couple hours cooking this week and now have chili and baked ziti for meals. I also baked some brownies for a bit of dessert. It will be good to not have to step around the areas on which Glenn is working. I'm sure he'll appreciate that too.

HERE COMES FALL

2011-09-13T14:20:00.005-05:00

ONE OF THE FEW AREAS WHERE I CAN PLACE SEASONAL DECORATIONS
IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LITTLE LIKE FALL
(You can always click on the photos to enlarge them)

Even though we've not completely moved into the new old house, I have an overwhelming urge to decorate the few spaces I can. None of the rooms is entirely move-in ready yet but the closest thing I have to a family room right now is the fireplace area so that's where I started decorating for Fall. I haven't located the boxes in which I store seasonal decorations so I pulled out fabric pumpkins I'd made and stored in the cabin loft. Glenn took them down for me over the weekend and I transported them to the farm yesterday. I put a few things on the Hoosier and the rest on the hearth and mantle. It's not much, but it's a start.

EVERTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN....ALMOST

2011-09-12T12:33:00.007-05:00

KITCHEN FLOORING PROJECT HAS BEGUN GLENN IS DOING A GOOD JOB ON THE INSTALLATION

Glenn has been working diligently on the kitchen flooring in our new old house. There was a little setback on Saturday night though. He attempted to pull out the dishwasher to make sure it would clear the wood floor plank he was about to install and whoosh!....a water pipe broke. I wasn't present during that adventure, but when I arrived back here from my trip to the grocery store (an adventure in itself) I found a note on the door. Glenn had returned to issue a distress call to our son-in-law, Doug, who is also our plumber and all-round handyman. It never fails. When we have one complication, we have a few more before everything is resolved. The batteries in Glenn's cell phone were dead so he'd driven all the way back here to make his call. We never ever do anything the easy way.

To his credit, Glenn, with a lot of help from Doug, had the mess all cleaned up and the broken pipe situation under control by the time I arrived back at the farm, but I couldn't help asking what in the world had happened. Both men downplayed the whole incident and I didn't pursue it any further. I was relieved Glenn actually called for backup, since he doesn't like to ask anyone for help. He'll ask me to help him, but I wasn't there when the pipe broke. (What a shame.) Doug said when he received the call, he knew it was something fairly serious because he knows Glenn only calls for help if it's truly needed. We were thankful Doug was available and willing to be there for us - again. If we should happen to survive this move, we'll be stronger for having done so, right?

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

2011-09-11T09:14:00.006-05:00

Let us not forget nor become complacent. Please remember those who lost their lives on that fateful day ten years ago and those whose lives were forever changed. I am very thankful there are still those among us who act swiftly, bravely, and without thought to self, in times of crisis and adversity. We will never forget.

JUST MY LUCK

2011-09-09T10:12:00.006-05:00

I'M ATTEMPTING TO HUMANELY TRAP A LITTLE CAT IN NEED I PUT THIS BRAND OF CANNED FOOD IN THE TRAP....
....AND CAUGHT A BIG GUY WHO WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT

As much as I probably should ignore the situation, I simply can't. There is a little cat coming daily to eat on my front porch. I'm feeding her/him because I will not allow a cat to starve if I have the means to help it. For the last two months we've had daily visits from the kitty and I've tried to discover whether it's male or female. Yes, I know how to tell the difference, but he/she won't grant me a peek at his/her nether region.

The cat appears to be young and healthy but one never knows for sure. I talked to my vet about the cat because I've noticed he/she has put on a little weight and that's often a red flag when you see a feral cat. The assumption is almost always that SHE is pregnant. But, it could simply be that HE is only gaining weight because he's being fed well twice a day. I've tried to get close to this kitty but it runs into the bushes when I step onto the porch. So....although my cat inn is completely full and overflowing, I decided I had to try to humanely trap this little one and get it to the vet for spaying/neutering before it IS pregnant. The idea of more feral kittens running loose in this neighborhood is not good. They are hit by cars and nabbed by preditors. I can't have that happen again up here so I have to DO something.

For three days I've been setting a humane trap. I check it very often so if the cat should be inside it, the stay will be short. The little stinker has twice avoided being trapped. Both times, he/she sneaked into the trap, retrieved the can of cat food I'd planted there, and exited without being caught. Is that smart or what? I thought his/her luck had run out today when I checked and saw a black tail curled up inside the trap. When I took a closer look, I realized the WRONG cat was in the trap! Just my luck. I suppose the large long-haired male needed to be neutered too, but I'm not sure he's not already neutered. He looks healthy and may belong to someone who lives up here, so I had little choice but to release him. He snarled and growled, stuck his paws throught the wires and actually rolled it over on the porch. To say he was upset would be understating it. I talked to him softly as I opened the end of the cage but he was so angry, he just sat there for a few minutes and fumed. I had to reach in and touch him before he realized the door was open and he was free to go. He left in such a hurry that he didn't even notice I'd dropped a bit of food into the cage for him. I was hoping to smooth his ruffled fur but he was having none of it. Maybe he won't stop by to visit any more. I can only hope. I'll try again for my little Houdini cat and pray it's not pregnant. My vet put me on standby so when I do catch the little rascal, he/she has an automatic appointment to be checked. Wish me better luck!

RIBBON LAYER CAKE

2011-09-08T09:45:00.006-05:00

This looks so festive. I can imagine making it for a Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration. It might be fun to experiment with different flavors. I think this requires the use of three baking pans. You can find this recipe and many others on the Crisco website: http://www.crisco.com/Recipes/Details.aspx?recipeID=1389.

INGREDIENTS:
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 (18.25 oz.) box Pillsbury® Lemon Cake
1 cup water
1/3 cup Crisco® Pure Canola Oil
3 large eggs
Food coloring (yellow, green, red)
Smucker's® Strawberry Jelly
FROSTING
3/4 cup Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
OR 3/4 stick Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 or 3 tablespoons milk
6 drops green food coloring
PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:
1. HEAT oven to 350ºF. Spray three 8-inch square pans with no-stick cooking spray.
2. PREPARE cake mix according to package directions, using water, oil and eggs. Divide batter into thirds. Color each third with food coloring to make pale yellow, pale green and pale pink batters. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. BAKE 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans on racks. Remove from pans. Cool completely on racks.
4. TRIM edges and cut each layer in half to make 6 rectangles. Spread 5 cake layers with jelly. Stack layers, alternating colors. Top with remaining section. Turn entire cake on its side so layers are vertical. Place on serving plate. Wrap and refrigerate while preparing frosting.
5. BEAT shortening, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk until creamy. Blend in food coloring to color frosting a pale green. Frost top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until serving. Cut thin slices of cake across layers to create ribbon effect.

ANYONE FOR PUMPKIN PIZZA?

2011-09-07T12:10:00.009-05:00

I found this recipe for PUMPKIN PIZZA in my email box today. I love pumpkin pie and I've tried pumpkin fudge, but I've never heard of pumpkin pizza. Here's the recipe:

PUMPKIN PIZZA

Ingredients:
1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons water, divided
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups sliced shallots (from 6 small shallots), cut into rings about 1/8-inch thick
One 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Salt to taste
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 precooked pizza crust, 10 to 12 inches in diameter
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
1/2 cup fresh baby arugula
1/2 cup seedless red or white grapes, sliced in half

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

In a large, nonstick skillet over low heat add the olive oil and 3 Tablespoons water. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium-size pot over medium heat combine the pumpkin puree, 1 cup water, cider vinegar, rosemary, salt and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium-low and cook until heated through and thickened slightly (about 5 to 7 minutes). Set aside to cool.

Place the pizza crust in the oven directly on the middle rack, top side down. Cook for 3 minutes. Carefully remove the crust. Spread about half of the pumpkin sauce over the top of the pizza crust (save the rest for another pizza or to use as a pasta sauce).

Distribute half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Distribute the shallots over the cheese and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the shallots. Place the pizza in the oven directly on the oven rack and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mozzarella melts.

Using a large spatula and oven mitts, carefully remove the pizza. Place the pizza on a large cutting board. Sprinkle the arugula and grapes evenly over the pizza. Cut and serve warm.

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

2011-09-06T09:01:00.009-05:00

PROGRESS IN HALLWAY OUTSIDE GUEST ROOM
GUEST ROOM CLOSET DOORS RE-ATTACHED
MASTER BEDROOM CLOSET DOORS RE-HUNG

It's a wonderful cool morning here in southwest Ohio. I don't know if the long hot summer is truly done, but I hope so. It's finally beginning to feel like Fall. I'd like to unpack handmade fabric pumpkins and other Fall decorations and arrange them on the fireplace mantle and hearth. That might be a good project for this week, but I have so many projects from which to choose I don't know what to tackle first. I've made progress in my sewing room but still have the insides of closets to paint and I'm dreading that job. I've been learning that when I paint walls and shelves, the sky does not fall, but the more I paint, the less I like it. I don't like the process or the mess. I don't like the fact when I think I've finished, I often find mistakes I need to cover. I don't like cleaning paint brushes or rollers or choosing colors that look different when applied to the walls. There, I admitted it. I don't like painting and I hope I never have to do it again. I'd rather be sewing, baking, or tending my cats.

Last night I finished painting the inside of my vintage kitchen pantry and its shelves while Glenn was installing baseboard in the guest room. He believes what isn't going to be visible doesn't need to be painted but I differ with that opinion so I tackled the inside of the pantry that can only be seen if one stands inside it and turns facing outward. I know, silly, right? But I felt the job wasn't complete until that part was done too. Glenn kept checking my progress and I had the distinct feeling he would not have chosen to paint in the manner I did, but I finished it and he didn't have to do it, so there. I saved the upstairs sewing room closets for today...or tomorrow...or the next day. I'll get to them eventually.

Progress continues despite my aversion to painting. I'm telling myself once the upstairs closets are done, I won't have to paint anything else. That's not really true, since there are other areas of the house we'll paint at a later date, but it makes me feel better to think I'm almost finished with that task. The baseboard didn't go on as smoothly as we'd hoped since the floor in the guest room is not even, but I told Glenn we'd simply put the blanket chest in front of the uneven spot. At this point, I'm just happy to be closer to completion. I'm learning to compromise and not become so stressed about little things that don't really matter (like uneven baseboard). In the scheme of things, nothing is perfect, we're not perfect, and we don't expect to have a perfect house. Sometimes it's those little imperfections that give our homes the character we love.

ONE DOWN....??? TO GO

2011-09-03T15:57:00.008-05:00

GUEST ROOM FLOOR IS FINISHED - JUST NEEDS BASEBOARD I LOVE HOW THIS LOOKS
MY SEWING ROOM IS TAKING SHAPE

SEWING MACHINE WILL SIT ON THE DESK

(YOU CAN CLICK ON EACH PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT)

I'm taking a little break from working at the new old house today. Glenn has finished installing the guest room floor - YEAH! - and is now working on the hallway. He is doing such a good job on it all. I've been scrubbing the wood floor in my upstairs sewing room and moving in the furniture I'll use up there. Yesterday I managed to move a large bookshelf, a desk, and a tall narrow chest of drawers from my guest room here, and take it down the steps and to the garage where I carefully placed them in my car for transport. I was actually surprised I was able to move all of that by myself but I was determined to get the ball rolling a little faster around here. When I arrived at the farm, Glenn helped me take the furniture out of the car and up the stairs to my new old sewing room. I finally feel as if I'm making some progress with it. The room looks a little sparce yet, but all of my yarn, fabric, and other sewing supplies are now up there waiting for me to decide where everything will be stored. All I need now is a braided rug it make the room look cozy. We're making progress!

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE?

2011-09-01T14:32:00.008-05:00

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY COUCH GIVEN TO US BY DEANNA - THE BRIGHT BLUE CUSHIONS ARE A BIT INTENSE SO I PLAN TO MAKE COVERS FOR THEM
MATCHING ROCKER
THE 'QUEEN CHAIR" - I'LL MAKE SOME CUSHION COVERS FOR THIS TOO

Well, it's not actually a race we're in, unless we think about how much time is passing without our "former" home being listed for sale. This former home is actually still our present home though we've moved quite a bit of our belongings to the farm. I've been very frustrated lately because we seem to be at a standstill. We could continue packing up things and moving them to the farm, but we would only be piling up more boxes there. We haven't yet moved our furniture because the flooring isn't completely installed. It will probably take another couple of weeks before that's done. Glenn is doing his best to finish it, but he only has half the guest room done, with the whole kitchen and two bathrooms to go. More than a few times I've suggested he hire someone to install the flooring, but he insists on doing it himself. He's giving it a valiant effort and doing a great job of it, but simply doesn't have the time it takes to get it finished in a timely manner. So, we continue to wait and do what we can. My friend, Deanna, is my sounding board and she encourages me to work on my sewing area and take boxes of sewing and crafting supplies upstairs to where they will be stored. Things seem so much clearer after I talk to her. Deanna recently gave us a wonderful set of furniture for our family room. The beautiful dark wood frames are sturdy and were handmade in Tennessee. I love having things that were made in the USA. Though the cushions and coverings are in good shape, Deanna and I both think the blue is a little intense so I'm planning to recover them in a neutral-colored fabric.

These days I'm very easily overwhelmed. I see so many things that need to be done, but there is so little that is completely finished. Since we haven't yet moved in the bookshelves, dressers, blanket chests, and other storage units, nothing inside the boxes has an assigned home. It seems useless to take over more boxes when I can't empty the ones already there. I knew this would be a huge transition for us, but I didn't know how big the task would be. It's physically tiring and emotionally draining. I hardly have time to think about all the memories made in this house over the years. Maybe it's good that I'm not obsessing about leaving this place, and that I've finally embraced the fact my cabin will soon belong to someone else. I just wish we were further along in this move. For now, I'll have to deal with things the way they are. I'm reminded of The Serenity Prayer that asks, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference". I could use some of that serenity, courage, and wisdom right now.

CLEARING THE AIR

2011-08-30T10:20:00.010-05:00

SEWING ROOM ISN'T FINISHED BUT IT'S GETTING THERE

SHELVES WITH OLD JARS OF NOTIONS, SPOOLS, AND THREAD

I LOVE HOMESPUN CURTAINS

GUEST ROOM FLOORING - HALF-WAY THERE

THE LITTLE HANDMADE VALANCE WAS FOUND IN A BOX FROM THE GARAGE. YEARS AGO, I USED IT FOR CRAFT SHOW DISPLAYS AND NOW IT HAS A NEW PURPOSE. THE FABRIC HAS VINTAGE JAM JARS PRINTED ON IT.

On Sunday, the humidity here in southwest Ohio finally let up a bit and the time was right to open all the windows in the new old house and let in some fresh air. A gentle breeze flowed through every nook and cranny of the house, allowing curtains to sway as if dancing to a country tune. Living in a rural area is going to feel so much different from living closer to the city. I can count on one hand the number of neighbors here in town whose names I know and who wave or speak as they pass by. At the farm, everybody waves. I'm sure not many of them know or care that we're new to the area. They're simply being friendly. There is a group of avid bikers that wheels by every Sunday afternoon and I can hear them coming from a mile away, talking and laughing. They always wave as they pass the house and I wave back as if I know each one personally. Glenn would love to be a part of that group I'm sure. Before we had any idea of living there, he often biked down the same country lane and was chased by the same dog that chases the Sunday bikers. I learned the dog's name is Blaze and she's the official guardian of the whole farming community. She watches over her owner's cows and sheep and is a legend in the area because of her bravery against marauding coyotes. When I'm leaving the farm, she's often standing beside the road watching all who come and go on her watch. One evening, she was standing in the middle of the road and I was afraid she'd be hit by a car or truck. I rolled down the window to talk to her and she looked at me as if to say she knew what she was doing. She's a Great Pyrenees by breed, and would be a formidable opponent, so I'd rather stay on her good side. I bid her a good night and whispered a little prayer for her safety. I'm looking forward to the day we can sit in our rocking chairs on the old front porch with chilled glasses of iced tea in hand, enjoying the view and waving at passersby.

WE GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

2011-08-28T07:54:00.012-05:00

GUEST ROOM FLOOR IS LOOKING GOOD
GLENN IS WORKING HARD AND DOING A GOOD JOB KITCHEN CUPBOARD SHELVES
NEWLY PAINTED CUPBOARD INTERIOR
I CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY

OUR HOME AT DUSK

What would we do without friends and family members who continue to support us throughout this transition? We've learned that living in two houses is more difficult than it might seem but some of our friends have even blessed us with furniture to use in our family room at the farm. We weren't sure what we were going to do since the furniture here will not be going with us. We're not taking anything that could be harboring cat hair or dander. I realize we could have the furniture professionally cleaned but there is no guarantee there wouldn't be residual cat hair inside them. I'd rather be safe, plus our present pieces are about 16 years old. We'd saved enough for new furniture, but Uncle Sam will be receiving a major portion of that since it seems we made a huge miscalculation in tax filing this year. How did that happen? I honestly don't know and neither does the resident accountant, but it did happen and we'll need to surrender what we would have been spending on new furniture. So....thank you my dear friend Deanna (and family) for the gift of a couch and chairs. You are a life saver!

We've had friends deliver packing boxes for transporting our worldy goods, and some have given us extra cat food for our furry ones and the little strays I continue to feed. We continue to receive offers of help, which is heartwarming. Thank you my friends. Glenn and I appreciate all you do for us. What the strays kitties will do when we're finally out of this house, I don't know. I worry about them though. Perhaps I can convince some of my neighbors to look after them?

Glenn and I were at the farm most of the day yesterday and received some welcomed help from our daughter and son-in-law, who truly is a son to us. They borrowed a trailer and came back here to pack up more of Glenn's workbenches and a huge ( and heavy) storage cupboard from the garage. They made two trips and two deliveries to the farm, then bought pizza for all of us to enjoy a relaxing supper. What a special family we have. Thank you Jen and Doug. You are such a blessing to us.

Glenn is making progress on installing the floor in the guest room. It's going slower than he had hoped, but the project is moving along and that's a positive thing. I've been painting the inside of a kitchen cupboard and its shelves which will be home to my gingerbread collection, vintage tins, and blue Ball jars. I don't think I'm getting any better at painting but I haven't given up yet. It's good the shelves will be filled once they're in the cupboard. Maybe no one will look too closely at my painting job.

After we closed up shop for the evening, I went out back to take a few photos from our deck. I stood there pondering how far we'd come since deciding we wanted to live in that house, on that property, and felt so much gratitude and joy. Glenn and I are very blessed to call this our home.

JUST BREATHE

2011-08-26T11:03:00.009-05:00

THE "PINK" ROOM WAS REALLY LILAC, BUT NOW WARM BEIGE

GETTING THE BLUE ROOM READY TO BE PAINTED

MANDY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN TO HELP
GETTING READY TO PAINT MY SEWING ROOM

It was with good reason I dreaded moving. When is this going to be fun? For years, off and on, we had talked about moving and searched for a house. Twice we thought we'd found what we needed but ran into huge problems which became "deal breakers" and it took time for us to recover from those setbacks. The house we finally bought is still the one I want but we weren't expecting to take so long moving into it. Little by little I've been moving my kitchen items to the farm and Glenn has just about cleared out the garage, but we're still working on making the new old house our home. Glenn is working on the new flooring as much as he is able to. At best, he only has a couple hours in the evenings and the weekends, but as our luck would have it, each time we begin a project, we find a few smaller ones that need to be addressed before we can complete the task at hand. Maybe everyone experiences stress when she moves, but it's been 32 years since we relocated, which means we are 32 years older than we were last time. We're physically moving a bit slower these days and taking more frequent breaks. I suppose that's good, but it surely makes for a slow move. Let's see...."patience is a virtue", "good things come to those who wait", "slow and steady wins the race".....I'm trying to keep all those things in mind as I take a deep breath and keep going.

BUTTERFLY KISSES

2011-08-24T01:23:00.010-05:00

BUTTERFLY HITCHING A RIDE ON MY SHIRT
IT SEEMED TO PREFER LANDING ON THE ASPHALT
I WAS SURPRISED THE BUTTERFLY WASN'T AFRAID OF ME
ATTEMPT TO RELEASE IT IN A SAFER PLACE - SUCCESS AT LAST!

I had a very unique experience this morning. After a routine dental appointment (look ma, no cavities!) I stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things for the farm. When I exited the store I noticed a huge butterfly sitting in the middle of the parking lot. I didn't want it to be hit by a car so I tried to coax it to move to another spot. The butterfly seemed to want to be where it was, in the direct line of traffic. Three times I gently picked it up and moved it, and three times it flew back to the middle of the parking lot. I wasn't going to stand by and watch it be pulverized by a car so I let it climb onto my finger and then onto my shirt. The butterfly clung to me as I entered my car and drove around to the back of the shopping complex, where I found a nice grassy spot I thought would be a safer place for it to be. I got out of the car, with the butterfly still clinging to me, and released it. Once again, it flew a short distance, then landed on the asphalt. I made one last attempt to release the butterfly into the small meadow area and was finally successful. I'm not sure what the butterfly was thinking or even if it it was capable of thought, but it surely was persistent and seemed to know what it wanted. As I drove away, I wasn't at all sure I'd saved the winged creature, but at least it had a better chance in the meadow than in the middle of a parking lot. So now am I a butterfly whisperer?

MONSTER COOKIE RECIPE

2011-08-21T22:45:00.006-05:00

THESE ARE HUGE COOKIES - ALL THE MORE FUN TO BAKE AND EAT!

A few days ago I mentioned the cookies I baked last week reminded me of the Monster Cookies I often made in the 1970's. I did a quick online search and found numerous recipes for Monster Cookies but the one I'm sharing is the only one I've ever used. It's from an old church cookbook and was passed down from a minister's wife who received it from a member of her spouse's former parish. I made dozens of these huge cookies for my family and for bake sales. They were always a hit. I think my grandkids would love them too. I'm wondering why I haven't baked Monster Cookies for such a long time? I can fix that.

MONSTER COOKIES

Ingredients:
(This recipe contains no flour)

3 eggs
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1-1/2 cups peanut butter
4-1/2 cups quick oats
1 cup semisweet (or milk choc) chocolate chips
1 cup plain M&M's
1 cup raisins (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1) In large bowl, beat eggs.

2) Add remaining ingredients in order listed, mixing well after each addition.

3) Use ice cream scoop to place on un-greased cookie sheet – 6 cookies to a sheet.

4) Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges just begin to brown. I usually flatten the cookies slightly before baking. Let cookies cool thoroughly before removing from baking sheet.

FARM FRESH

2011-08-18T13:04:00.010-05:00

FIRST COOKIES BAKED AT THE FARM
THANK YOU DEANNA FOR THAT SCRUMPTIOUS COOKIE MIX
KITCHEN IS BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE MINE

OLD JARS FROM THE BARN

I FOUND A SUITCASE IN THE BARN - I HAD THREE AND ADDED ONE - THE SECOND ONE FROM THE TOP IS THE NEW OLD ONE

I've been having fun at the farm this week. Yes, I said "fun". Most of the work is at a standstill until the spackled walls are dry and the flooring is installed. Glenn is working on that as quickly as he can. He has only the weekends and a couple hours in the evenings after work in order to make things happen. I decided I'd like to find out how well the oven works so I baked cookies on Monday. I have a confession to make though. My friend, Deanna, gave me a homemade cookie mix at Christmas time and I had stored it in the pantry here and not remembered having it. I took it to the farm along with other sundries and thought it might be good to finally use it. I already confessed to Deanna that I'd forgotten about the mix, but that doesn't mean I didn't fully appreciate it. Since it had been completely sealed, I had no qualms about stirring up cookies from the mix. They were loaded with M&M's, oats, and giant chocolate chips. In fact, they reminded me of the Monster Cookies I used to make for bake sales. I'll share that recipe another time. The cookies turned out well and tasted great. They were called, "Cookies for Santa" so I had a little bit of Christmas in August.

After I finished baking cookies, I went to the barn, for no reason in particular, but while there I found an old forgotten suitcase and a box full of old jars. Deanna and I are planning to make jar mixes for our families to use as quick dinners or snacks so those jars will come in very handy for storing them. I've washed and dried the jars and will use them as soon as I figure out which mixes I want to put together. When I decide, I'll share them here. I'm going to the farm this afternoon to take over some more kitchen supplies. It seems as if toting things to the farm will never end, but as long as I can have a little fun with it, I guess that's a good thing.

SWEET CELEBRATIONS

2011-08-17T06:57:00.015-05:00

I LOVED THAT PINK PACKAGING - AND WHAT WAS INSIDE IT
YUMMY CUPCAKES
PYREX REFRIGERATOR CONTAINERS - CAMPBELL'S SOUP MUG - BLUE BALL JAR - PINK DEPRESSION GLASS DIVIDED SERVING DISH

We've recently had an abundance of birthdays to celebrate and another coming on the 22nd. Our daughter and her family met us at Marion's Piazza over the weekend and treated us to a delicious pizza dinner. Afterward, they came to the new old house (which hence will be called "the farm" in order to distinguish it from the house in which we still abide) and shared some out-of-this-world cupcakes sent by my dear angel of a cousin, Jeanette. THANK YOU JEANETTE! Those were such a sweet surprise and came from Georgetown Cupcakes - aka DC Cupcake, from the TV show with the same name. They came from THAT shop. How cool is that? We had a very busy weekend and one of the highlights (there were many) was having the family come and spend time at the farm. I'm so grateful they can finally visit my home and stay as long as they choose, without becoming sneezy or stuffy. Two of my family members are allergic to cats - and me, with a houseful!

Though I'm not actively searching for them, vintage Pyrex dishes just keep finding me. My latest acquisitions include three small refrigerator dishes with lids. I remember my grandmother using similar ones which I now have in my backyard cabin. One of the best things about collecting Pyrex items is that I'm putting them to good use. I've made casseroles in them, stirred cookie dough in the larger ones, and stored leftovers in the small ones. I've decided I will use all the dishes and bowls I have collected. What good are they if they just sit in a cupboard?

Work on the new old house is coming along well but I'm becoming impatient. I just want to be able to move in the furniture and start living there. I had a great day while at the farm on Monday. I baked cookies (from a homemade mix my good friend Deanna had given me) and brewed some iced tea, all the while thinking how nice it was to let the work go for a little while and just enjoy being there. I sat at my little card table for a few minutes and browsed some Farmgirl books by Maryjane Bitters. That afternoon I had a wonderful visit with good friends Chris and John, for whom I cat sit, and then I meandered down country roads to a small grocery store in another small town. I stocked up on supplies for the farm so I would no longer need to shuffle things back and forth. It's not easy trying to live in and maintain two homes but I hope we won't need to do that much longer. When I think of how much we've done already, I'm encouraged that we're making good progress.

HOOSIER DADDY?

2011-08-14T00:29:00.012-05:00

LOADING THE TRUCK FOR THE TRIP TO THE FARM NEW OLD HOOSIER IN THE NEW OLD HOUSE
GLENN'S ROCKING CHAIR

My new old house is now home to an antique Hoosier cabinet. Though I'd looked online for a long time and searched antique shops, the only Hoosiers I had found were either too expensive for my budget or located too far away for "local" pick-up, on which many Ebay users insist. On Wednesday I was browsing the consignment shop in downtown Miamisburg and happened to tell the owner I'd been searching for a Hoosier online that morning. He said he'd just received one and asked if I'd like to see it. He didn't have to ask twice. After searching for one for such a long time, I was excited to see one directly in front of me. A number of people were stopping to look at it so I was sure it wouldn't be there for long. The cupboard has a couple minor issues but it's an antique so I expect it to have a few blimishes. Those don't bother me one bit. Just as in my new old house, those things add character. The roll top door needs a little work. The slats are all there but two of them have pulled loose. For that reason, and because of a crack in the glass window on the middle cupboard door, the consignment shop owner gave me a great deal on the piece. The owner of the wood shop on Main Street repairs antique furniture so I'll ask him for an estimate. While at the consignment shop, Glenn took a fancy to a rocking chair so we bought that too. We loaded up the Hoosier and the rocker and took them to their new old home. I'm already thinking about how I might decorate the Hoosier for the holidays.

SECOND STORY ADVENTURE

2011-08-13T01:13:00.007-05:00

I'M READY FOR MY PATIO VISIT NOW
WELL, ARE YOU COMING?

This has been an interesting week. I'm cat sitting for two friends and I love being with and caring for their pets. Most of the time I'm met at the door when I go over to feed the cats and offer some TLC. Yesterday one of the cats, Sara, and I had a bit of an adventure. Sara's human mom, Rita, sometimes puts her on a leash and allows her to sit on the apartment patio. Sara had been gesturing that she wanted to go out but I was a bit hesitant. What if she became scared and bolted? After a little more thought, I decided Sara and I would definitely go out on the patio for a short time. Sara stood very still while I applied her harness and leash the we went out onto the patio, closing the sliding glass door behind us. When I heard a "click", it didn't sound just right so I tried the door. Sure enough, the door had locked. Wonderful. What was I supposed to do? It was hot with the sun beating down on us and there was no stairway from the patio. The only thing I could think of at the time was to call out loudly for someone to come and assist us. Finally, a young man came out of an adjacent apartment and asked if he could help me. I told him I was cat sitting and had locked Sara and myself out of the the apartment. I asked him to please go around the front of the building and knock on the door of someone I knew had a key. When he came back and told me he hadn't found anyone home, it occured to me the key to Rita's apartment had been in my pocket all along. As I dropped the key to him, I asked the young man if he'd go around front again and unlock Rita's door, which he did. Sara and I were very happy to be back inside the apartment. She didn't seem the least bit upset after our ordeal. She promptly lay down on the floor beside her toys and we played for the rest of my time there. We're contemplating whether we should venture onto the patio another day - after I learn how to make sure the door won't lock behind us.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

2011-08-09T23:34:00.009-05:00

PINK AND BLACK SHOWER CURTAIN

THIS IS SARA

Progress is a little slow on the house this week. We need to finish painting before we can install the flooring, but Glenn has had little time to paint and I learned I am definitely not very good at it. I'll continue to help if it's absolutely necessary, but I don't think I made a proper job of it on my first attempt. I did, however, order a pink and black retro-looking shower curtain for the pink bathroom today. That's progress, right? Glenn says I'm impatient and too anxious to get everything accomplished. He says I need to take one day at a time - as if I have a choice. As I see it, I've been patient a very long time, so yes, I definitely want things to speed up a bit.

Today I took a photo of one furry little charge for whom I'm cat-sitting this week. Sara, the pretty gray kitty, was playing with me and chasing her bouncing snowman-on-a-string and trying to catch a fuzzy looking black tail attached to a small pillow. I took a photo of her playing and she became indignant and promptly turned her back to me, began to twitch her tail back and forth, and then left the room. I must have insulted her by snapping the picture. I was eventually forgiven, but Sara definitely didn't like having her picture taken, but she's a beautiful kitty.

IT'S NOT EASY BEING BLUE

2011-08-07T22:34:00.016-05:00

THE WALL COLOR IS A MEDIUM BLUE BUT SHOWS A LITTLE DARKER NEWLY PAINTED BEDROOM - WE'RE KEEPING THE WALLPAPER FOR NOW WAITING FOR ME TO TURN HIS SCRATCHING TOY UPRIGHT

NUBS IS SUCH A PRETTY LITTLE GIRL

CASEY DOESN'T REALLY HAVE GHOST EYES

TAYLOR IS USUALLY SMILING - I CAUGHT HIM OFF GUARD

Yesterday Glenn and I painted the master bedroom in the new old house and I felt as if I had more blue paint on me than I'd put on the walls. I can do some things well, but obviously, painting is not one of them. It's looks much easier than it is - at least for me. I was so concerned about dripping on the hardwood floor that I didn't load the roller with enough paint, even though I knew we were using drop cloths. Today I noticed some spots which will need to be re-touched. I guess that'll teach Glenn to ask me to help him paint. Actually, I did try to do my best. My best just wasn't good enough. Maybe I'll go back to cleaning cupboards. That, I can do well.
This week I'm cat sitting and that's such a welcome relief from painting and cleaning in the house. Some of the furry ones meet me at the door when I arrive, and as much as I'd like to believe it's because they like me, I know they greet me with happily twitching tails because I'm the food giver while their mama is gone. Today I sat with them for quite awhile and enjoyed the calming feeling of having cats in my lap. I can honestly say I've never met a cat I didn't like.

STAYING THE COURSE

2011-08-07T04:13:00.012-05:00

WOOD ON THE UPPER RIGHT IS FOR THE KITCHEN FLOOR
GRANDSON HELPED US CARRY GUEST ROOM FLOORING INTO THE HOUSE
FOUND THIS OLD TABLE IN THE CELLAR THIS WILL BE MY VINTAGE CUPBOARD - AFTER ADDING A LITTLE PAINT, SOME OLD APRONS, TINS, AND ROLLING PINS WILL LOOK GREAT IN HERE
THE ONLY SPOT THAT LOOKS LIKE "HOME" - I KEEP CHANGING THIS BECAUSE IT'S ALL THE DECORATING I'M ABLE TO DO RIGHT NOW
(YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM)

We had another full day of cleaning and painting at the new old house. Granddaughter was with us part of the day and helped me finish the kitchen cupboards. They are now DONE! Some of the shelves had sticky contact paper which, after much pulling and scraping, came up in tiny pieces. I'm definitely not going to use adhesive paper to replace it. I'll use something more manageable instead. Glenn and I painted the master bedroom and walk-in closet today. Tomorrow we'll tackle the guest bedroom and later this week we'll begin to put down some new flooring in the guest room and hallway. I may paint the sewing room too. I'm not very good at painting, as I learned today, but I'd like to soon have that room ready for furniture and crafting supplies and Glenn has all he can handle right now. The kitchen flooring has been ordered but won't come until the 15th. I thought I was a fairly patient person until we began this whole process. If I had a magic wand, I'd wave it and be done with all of this. We're already making memories in this house though, and that's great. Our daughter and grandson, both of whom are allergic to cats, can now visit us anytime. They stopped by today after having visited Ohio Northern University and Grandson told us all about the colleges he's seen so far. He'll graduate from high school next year and is excited about the prospect of choosing a college. His mom is happy for him, but not quite as excited. As she expressed in a sweet note to me today, it seems like yesterday he was getting on the school bus for the very first time. I know just how she feels.

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK

2011-08-05T11:30:00.011-05:00

I'M TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH THIS PLACE

Maybe it's the heat or maybe it's the fact I'm 30 years older than when I last moved, but right now I'm in a perpetual state of tiredness. I still have a few cupboards to clean but they're almost done. Glenn wants us to "camp out" at the house this weekend so we can paint some rooms. Hmm, I think maybe HE can camp out there and I'll stay here and continue to pack boxes. I'm still very much in love with the house and the location. I just wish there wasn't so much work to do before we could complete the move. It's not as if we didn't know work would be involved, but I thought it would go a little faster. On Monday I met a farm neighbor and her sweet little dog, Boo Boo. Yes, that's really his name. She told me who lived where and who had cats. She rescues felines, can you believe it? My cat radar must have been on high alert when I told Glenn I really wanted to live in that area. Yesterday I stopped by a farm market and bought the best white sweet corn. I just stood there on the side of the road and looked all around me. What a beautiful place to be. I absolutely love it out there. Once this move is completed, I'll catch up on rest and all this work will be in the past. The bottom line is, I'm very grateful for all the cupboards and storage space in this house. I now have room for things I was sure I'd have to give away and I'm planning to store my blender, toaster and big red KitchenAid mixer where I'll finally have easy access to all of them. It's all good - just a bit more work than I had expected.

MMM...MMM...GOOD

2011-08-04T00:20:00.007-05:00

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT

I just knew this little built-in shadowbox shelf would come in handy for something. My small collection of Campbell's soup mugs fits nicely in it. When I was 5 years old, Santa brought me a Campbell's soup play set for Christmas. It contained two real cans of tomato soup, a small aluminum saucepan, a big stirring spoon, an apron, and a chef's hat with pictures of the Campbell's Kids on it. My mom has the little saucepan to this day. I have no idea what happened to the apron or hat though. I'm fairly sure my love of tomato soup began with that play set.

MORE VINTAGE TREASURES

2011-08-02T22:23:00.008-05:00

YOU CAN CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PHOTOS

Sometimes I simply can't pass up the opportunity to browse thrift stores. The justification I use is this; since I have to pass three of them on the way home from the allergist's office, I might as well stop in each one and nose around a bit. Two weeks ago I was happy to find a set of four Pyrex dishes in graduated sizes. They're in perfect condition and I suspect three of them were never used at all. The price for all four was around $9 and I thought that was a bargain. Do I need more Pyrex ware? The answer to that question is a resounding "NO", but they're so much fun to find and collect. I really do use them too. The very best part of having them is knowing I now have plenty of storage space in which to keep them.

WHAT'S NEXT? BATS IN THE BELFRY?

2011-08-01T12:44:00.016-05:00

RACCOONS ARE CUTE, BUT I DON'T WANT THEM IN THE HOUSE
MICE ARE CUTE TOO, BUT I'D LIKE THEM TO STAY OUTDOORS

I'm taking a little break today. A repair team is there installing a "fix" (mitigation) to a minor radon problem in the cellar. When we had the house inpected before closing the deal, it was found to have a higher than normal radon level. The living area was just a tad higher than it should have been, but the cellar was twice the suggested safe level. The former owner took full responsibility for the problem, negotiated the repair fee, and left a check to cover the entire procedure. We're very thankful to her for doing that. The team is going to be at the house ALL day. I thought I'd need to be present the whole time, but they come highly recommended and seem like very decent people. They are also husband and wife, which is unusual, but pretty neat. The wife, Amy, and I instantly bonded. She said she decorates her home with primitives and loves the built-in shelves. I invited her to see the whole house since she'd only been in one part of it when the former owner was in residence. Amy and I were soon going from room to room talking about color schemes and decor. I think I'll take her shopping with me next time I go, and leave Glenn home.

The first question asked this morning was, "Did you know some critters have been getting into your crawl space?". Of course I didn't know that. I don't visit the cellar and haven't looked into the crawl space since the intital tours of the house. Some big corn-eating raccoons have been using the space as their sleeping quarters and bathroom. Wonderful. There was evidence mice had been there too. The radon repair man, Stacy, also found a huge "rat enticement device", as he called it, but I guess all of that goes along with living in the country. None of it was upstairs and there was no evidence of any creature, furry or otherwise, having been in the living areas. The repairman cleaned out the crawl space and he asked if I wanted to see the evidence. I declined, telling him I'd take his word for it. We pulled out trash bags and threw the critter calling cards and "enticements" into the trash. Even if there are critters visiting the crawl space, I won't put out poison. I don't want them in the house, of course, but they're just trying to survive and no animal deserves a slow painful end. I asked what we might do to keep the critters at bay and was told the best thing would be to close up the outside entry to the crawl space. I had no idea there was any sort of open spot tempting critters to come inside and stay a spell. There were raccoon paw prints on an outside crawl space panel so we knew exactly how they entered and we found the window latch is broken so we'll repair that and be able to keep them out of there. I hope I don't find any bats in the belfry. Just kidding...the upstairs is just fine.

ANOTHER FINE MESS...

2011-07-30T23:24:00.015-05:00

LET THERE BE LIGHT - THE FORMER OWNER LEFT THESE FOR US

IN THE BEGINNING IT DIDN'T SEEM TOO DIFFICULT

BUT THERE WERE THREE LAYERS OF LINOLEUM PROGRESS WITH THE SCRAPING MACHINE ORIGINAL WOOD FLOOR IN SEWING ROOM ORIGINAL WOOD FLOOR IN BLUE ROOM

CARPET-LESS MASTER BEDROOM FLOOR - BEAUTIFUL!

DININGROOM LIGHT FIXTURE - SO PRETTY

SOMEBODY HAS TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS

The last two days have been very busy, and I'm sure things will be busier before we're finished. The positive part is that we're making progress on the new old house. The oldest carpeting has been removed, along with old linoleum. There were three layers of glued linoleum on the kitchen floor. Glenn removed the old indoor-outdoor kitchen carpet and began the linoleum removal process but we soon realized the job was more than we could handle so we called in a trusted handyman (thank you for the recommendation SUE) and he suggested renting a machine to do the work. What a stinky mess that was, and still is. After doing as much as they could in the kitchen, Glenn and the handyman tore out the old carpet from the upstairs bedrooms, exposing the wood under it. Apparently, it's original to the house which was built in 1919. With a little buffing and care, the floors should be just fine. I love the feeling of being in those rooms with the old wood floors and I can't wait to have my sewing supplies up there. I learned a few things today. I now know how to efficiently remove staples from underneath carpet padding and tear sticky carpet tacking from beneath baseboards. It was a long two days but we're getting closer to moving our furniture to the new old house. The phrase, "Let's take out the old carpeting", sounded so easy.

ARE WE HOME YET?

2011-07-25T20:30:00.008-05:00

I LOVE HAVING ALL THESE SHELVES

I CAN FILL THEM UP IN NO TIME AT ALL

HAVING A HEARTH TO DECORATE IS A NEW EXPERIENCE

OLD LINOLEUM REMOVAL IS A HUGE TASK BUT MANDY WILL HELP

We're no way near being finished moving, but we're still making progress. Today I packed more boxes, carried them down the stairs to the garage, and filled the car. I met Glenn at the house tonight and he helped unload everything. After a simple supper of sloppy joe sandwiches and potato salad, we went to work. He pulled up more carpeting and I unpacked linens, books, and lots of decorator items. I'm quickly filling the built-in linen cupboard in the bedroom. I cleaned it and added scented drawer liners over the weekend, along with cleaning the pink bathroom and a couple kitchen cupboards. I've also been dusting as I go. Check out the most recent photos of the family room. That's my answer to Glenn's question, "What in the world are you going to do with all those shelves?". The shelf items may vary from time to time and I'll probably rearrange things, but for now, I like having all those items where I can see them. They make me feel more at home. We surely have a long road ahead of us but we're thinking about how nice it's going to be when cooler weather comes and our family will be sitting around the diningroom table with us, enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. That's when we'll know this has definitely been worth all the time and effort.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...HOME

2011-07-25T00:19:00.015-05:00

HAVE TRUCK, WILL TRAVEL
PANTRY WITH PULL-OUT DRAWERS
MY VERY FIRST WALK-IN CLOSET
THE SEWING ROOM ACTUALLY HAS TWO CLOSETS

LITTLE BLUE ROOM UPSTAIRS

FIRST TIME COOKING IN THE NEW OLD HOUSESTARTING TO FEEL A BIT LIKE HOME

Could we have chosen a hotter time to move? The heat here in southwest Ohio is making all outdoor activity uncomfortable, but many other people are sweltering along with us. We're making progress though. The garage, which was packed full, is nearly empty now and we've moved dozens of boxes and plastic totes. During our daily treks to the house to unload possessions, we take breaks and keep cool water handy. Thank goodness we have central air and ceiling fans througout the house. We're very thankful for those things. This job would be difficult even in cool weather but the extreme heat quickly depletes our energy. In our minds, we're still young enough to think this shouldn't bother us. In reality, we're much older than when we last relocated and we move a little slower now. Regardless, we continue to see bits and pieces of our lives, some of which had been packed for nearly a year, come together at the new old house. It's beginning to feel more like home.

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME

2011-07-22T21:39:00.022-05:00

MY NEW OLD SECOND FLOOR SEWING/CRAFTING ROOM - LILAC!

BATHROOM WITH RETRO PINK TILE MY NEW OLD KITCHEN BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE HOME - CURRIER AND IVES DISHES

MASTER BATH - RETRO AQUA TILE - LOVE IT!

BUILT-IN LINEN CUPBOARD AND DRAWERS IN MASTER BEDROOM

GUEST ROOM WITH HALF BATH

CEDAR CLOSET IN GUEST ROOM

TRYING TO MAKE THE NEW OLD HOUSE LOOK HOMEY

GLENN SAID HE'D SAVE SOME SHELVES FOR ME

THIS IS JUST ONE PICK-UP TRUCKLOAD

MOVING - JUST THE BEGINNING

BOXES AND MORE BOXES

HARDWOOD FLOOR HIDDEN UNDER CARPET IN BEDROOM

VIEW FROM THE FAMILY ROOM WINDOW

I wouldn't say we're exactly having fun moving into the new old house in this sweltering heat, but I'm thrilled to actually have the keys to the house and be able to go there any time I choose. It still seems like a dream to me. Today, as I stood gazing out one of the windows that faces the road, I was remembering the countless times Glenn and I drove past the house before it was even on the market. We always loved how beautiful it looked at night with candles in each window and spotlights on the flagpole and flag. I could scarcely believe I was standing inside that house, pondering paint colors and flooring options. We measured the rooms we plan to paint and will choose colors tomorrow. For now, we'll leave some walls as they are because there are many other things needing attention first, plus I'm growing more fond of the wallpaper that at first seemed too Victorian for my tastes. The house is sound and we could live in it exactly as it is, but we want to expose the hardwood floors which lie hidden under old carpeting in some of the rooms. The two little upstairs bedrooms have hardwood floors, as do the parlor and master bedroom. We are thrilled with all of that. I can't pretend that moving isn't hard work, but it's rewarding and exciting to decide where everything will go and what colors will be on the walls. We're already planning a fall barn sale. Now that should be fun since most of the hard work will be behind us by that time - we hope!

You Can click on each photo to enlarge it.

NOW FOR THE FUN PART

2011-07-20T08:44:00.006-05:00

I'm in a daze this morning - tired, but giddy about having possession of the old house I love. My daughter and her family stopped by the house with supper last night and that was such a nice gesture. Glenn and I thoroughly enjoyed having them come and celebrate with us. I emailed friends who had been very supportive throughout this whole house-hunting ordeal and invited them to stop by as well. I wanted to show them there truly was a house! We had run into many obstacles along this course and at times it seemed as if we'd never be able to buy a house we wanted. It was wonderful to finally be able to share our new old home with our family and friends. Glenn and I stayed at the house until after 9:30 last night but when we arrived back here, neither of us had the energy to pack up the car for another trip out to the "farm". We'll regroup, recharge, and be back out there tonight. I'll pack up a few more things today and make more lists and phone calls. I knew there would be much to do so this isn't a surprise to me. I'm looking down the road to the day we'll have things arranged as we want them and be able to just enjoy living in our new old place. Ideas for decorating are swirling in my head and I'd like to continue a vintage theme in the kitchen. I thought I'd share some photos of my latest vintage "finds". I have GINA to thank for getting me hooked on the older Pyrex bowls. I know my mom has some too, so maybe she'll be willing to part with them. Gina, when I saw your Pyrex collection, I knew I had to find some of my own. So thank you - I think. (*v*)

THIS IS THE DAY!

2011-07-19T11:41:00.012-05:00

CLICK ON EACH PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT

This afternoon around 5pm, we'll be given the key to the old house that's new to us. Granddaughter and I were on the property yesterday taking pictures and she kept telling me maybe we shouldn't be doing that. Finally, I said, "It's perfectly ok, the house is OURS!". I can scarcely believe it myself, but this day has finally come. We were still inside the car when the former owner's daughter drove into the driveway. She was there to take the last items from the house and asked us to follow her inside, which we gladly did. She offered two captain's chairs for sale and I bought them but everything else had either been moved to the senior apartment complex with her mother or given to family members, so there's nothing else to purchase. That's ok, we'll furnish the house with things we already have and eventually fill in with treasures we find. My spouse, Glenn, packed the car last night and Granddaughter and I are packing some small boxes today. It's hard to know where to begin, but we'll figure it out as we go. Enjoy the photos. You can see why I love this place.

WHY DID I THINK THIS WOULD BE EASY?

2011-07-18T13:26:00.021-05:00

We've waiting a long time to find a house and move. I'd convinced myself nothing was going to frustrate me once we finished the preliminaries and had finally closed on a house. WRONG! I've not even accepted the key yet and already I'm about to pull out my hair. My first phone call today was to the water company in the township we'll be living. How hard could it be to ask that the water service be continued but have the bill sent in our names? I learned that I need to go to the water company, retrieve a "new owner's packet", pay a $35 "membership" fee, prove ownership of the house, and then sign an easement contract and have it notarized. Does the water company have a notary in-house? Of course not. I have to go to the bank to have it notarized then take it back to the water company. Is that not crazy? My realtor and lender both allowed us to do business and sign contracts and send them via email. This rural water company requires me to be there in person to sign the forms. I asked about signing them online and was told I could print out the contracts but had to still go in and sign them in person. I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with all the tasks ahead. I can't think of the major parts of the move quite yet because I still have so much going on here. There are cats to be fed, laundry to be done, and more phone calls to make. I'm to meet the owner and her daughter at the house tomorrow evening at 5pm. They'll give me the keys and then the work REALLY begins. What have I gotten myself into?

AN APPLE A DAY . . .

2011-07-14T12:19:00.008-05:00

We didn't have apples yet today but we did have some APPLE MUFFINS and boy were they good. Granddaughter is here for a few days and chose to bake some Apple Granola Muffins this morning. (She said they tasted great with chocolate milk.) We may have a chance to go over the new old house today. I called the former owner, Ruth, to ask if this was a good time but she didn't answer. She's probably with her daughter while the movers are taking out her furniture. I'm sure it's a very emotional time for her and I want to be sensitive to that. Ruth has lived in her home since before I was born and that's hard for me to imagine. She told me the house had meant so much to her family throughout the years. They had one last family gathering over the July 4th weekend and her daughters said they'd made many lasting memories and had a lot of fun in their home. My family and I are ready to make our own memories there. Granddaughter and I are already planning for some holiday baking in the new old house. As we ate Apple Granola Muffins at my kitchen table this morning, we were talking about how we'll soon be enjoying muffins or other homebaked goodies in our sun room. We'll look out and see neighboring farms and acres of growing crops. We can't wait.

COUNTRY ROADS TAKE ME HOME

2011-07-12T23:27:00.018-05:00

It's official! My spouse, Glenn, and I now own this grand old colonial house in the country. We were relieved the closing went so well and there were no complications. It seems as if this was a very long time coming and the waiting is finally over, though it will be a few days before we can move into our new old home. The owner has 15 days to have her things completely out of the house, but she told us the moving truck will be there this Thursday and the house should be vacant by the weekend. At the end of the closing, the owner, Ruth gave me a hug, kissed me on the cheek, and wished Glenn and I many happy memory-making times with our family. She said she was so happy we stopped by to meet her a few weeks ago and she's glad we are the ones who will be living in the house. She said she feels comfortable and peaceful about us being the next caretakers of the house in which she lived for 62 years. Glenn and I feel peaceful and comfortable too. Now on to the work ahead of us. We're going to take it one day and one box at a time.

IN THE DOG HOUSE

2011-07-11T10:24:00.007-05:00

My granddaughter came to spend a couple days while her mom and brother went on a college reviewing trip. They're checking possibilities for my grandson who will graduate next spring. Time surely has seemed to pass quickly and I can scarcely believe Grandson is old enough to be a high school senior. I won't even go down memory lane here because I'll get weepy here. Granddaughter and I always have a good time when she's here. We have so many things we want to do that we almost always have to save something for the next visit, which will be later this week. Yeah! At one point in the visit, I asked Mandy (the resident dog) to go into her house. She's generally very obedient so I didn't understand why she hesitated to do what I'd asked. When I asked again, she complied but had a strange look about her. I soon understood why. As she cautiously entered her "house", I saw the door move and realized there was someone already IN the house. I imagine Mandy was puzzled since she's the only one who inhabits her quarters. She simply moved over and allowed the "intruder" to share her space.

HURRY UP . . . AND WAIT

2011-07-08T00:51:00.007-05:00

AREN'T WE THERE YET?
WE'RE STILL WAITING. COME ON ALREADY.
DO I SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

We thought we were in the home stretch with this move. Everything seemed to be in place and we were to close on our colonial house today, but didn't. We're very anxious to get this move going but we've run into a couple bumps in our country road. First there was something unclear about who actually held the title to the house - the woman who lives there or her daughter. Yesterday we were told that's no longer a problem, but now there is another issue which has to be clarified before we can close. Spouse and I are under the assumption we're buying the house and the one acre on which it sits. The owner told us there were originally ten acres to the property but that she gave some of the land to family members and sold the rest, which would have made up the nine other acres. We believe she's accurate about that. The problem lies in the fact no one can find written proof of a single transaction. In other words, we don't yet have a clear title. County property records and tax records indicate the house sits on the full ten acres and there is nothing (so far) that shows anything to the contrary. We have the owner's word and the fact her daughter built a home on part of the land so she must have been sure it was hers on which to live. So we're still waiting. It's difficult to stay enthused and motivated to pack our belongings when we have no idea when we'll be able to move them to our new home. This whole house hunting and buying situation has been a test of faith, patience, and endurance. This is our third try at buying a house. I feel sure this one is the charm.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

2011-07-02T18:25:00.006-05:00

WISHING ALL OF YOU

A SAFE AND HAPPY

FOURTH OF JULY

CHAPTER 3 - THE AWAKENING

2011-06-28T14:19:00.004-05:00

VIEWS FROM THE DECK OF OUR FUTURE HOME

Two Sundays ago I asked my spouse if we could take a car ride but didn't tell him what was on my mind. He instinctively headed toward the old house. On the way, we passed the house that slipped from our grasp last fall and as we talked about that I shed a few tears. When the old colonial was in vieiw, Spouse slowed the car and I hesitantly asked if he had given any second thoughts to buying that house. Previously we had all but scratched it off our list. A big grin formed on his face and he turned to me and said, "I want you to be happy. If that house makes you happy and you want it, we'll buy it". The tears began again and I told him I could think of no other house but that one. I admitted I wanted to live in the country IN that house. He pulled off the road and said we should "...have a little honesty here". I'd never been dishonest with him. I simply hadn't previously revealed the depth of my feelings about the house. I thought he had dismissed it from thought so I didn't tell him it was THE one. He had seemed extremely concerned that we move closer to his workplace and this house is only three miles closer. Spouse works an hour north of here and though I truly didn't want to live further away from our daughter and her family, I had always told him I would be open to the possibility, and I think I was. For weeks we looked through homes north of here but neither of us found a house in which we felt we could be happy.

As we pulled onto the road where the old house had set for nearly a century, my spouse said he could by happy anywhere I was happy and admitted he liked that house as well as any he had seen in the past few months. It was a revelation to him that I'd put my wishes aside because I thought he would be happier living closer to work. I finally realized he wasn't as concerned about living closer to work as he was about making me happy. After all the years we've been married we still have a lot to learn about communication. What if I hadn't admitted my feelings for the house? What if I hadn't told him that the minute I walked inside it I immediately felt I wanted to live there? Thank goodness I'll never have to know.

CHAPTER 2 - THE WISH LIST

2011-06-26T15:49:00.014-05:00

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR

IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHO YOU ARE

ANYTHING YOUR HEART DESIRES WILL COME TO YOU

At first, house hunting was fun. It was exciting to think about finding just the right house and location. After months of looking on our own, and weeks of touring houses with a realtor, we became frustrated to the point of wondering if we'd ever find the house we wanted. We saw many great houses - some in the country, some in small communities - but none really "spoke" to us until we toured the old colonial we're now in the process of buying. Actually, that house spoke to me before it whispered to my spouse. He was busy telling me the house was too big for us, afterall, we were downsizing, right? I wasn't worried about how large it was. I knew that was where I wanted to live but I didn't immediately tell him that I had fallen in love with the serene country setting, the rustic look of the house, and the warm cozy feeling I had when I walked inside it. I loved the whole package. After we'd decided that it was indeed THE house for us, I stayed busy for a few days, emailing back and forth with our realtor. One particular day I happened upon a list I'd made long before we had begun looking for a house. I called it my Wish List and here it is, unchanged from its original form:

I'd like to have . . .

1) Rustic looking house in the country
2) 3–4 bedrooms and 2 and ½ baths
3) Large barn – clean and safe for cats
4) Lots of cupboard space in kitchen
5) Walk-in pantry or pull-out shelves
6) Brick fireplace
7) Built-in bookshelves
8) Hardwood floors
9) No close neighbors
10) Split-rail fence
11) A few trees

Without realizing it, I'd found a house that had every single thing on my wish list. I'm still a bit stunned about that. Maybe I'd been subconsciously holding out for a house with all those attributes, but I hadn't even remembered composing the wish list. I don't know how this all came about and I don't need to know. I do believe prayer had something to do with it, but I'm not questioning. I'm thoroughly enjoying the anticipation of settling down in our new old house and I am extremely grateful it's in our immediate future. Wishes really can (and do) come true.

THE CAT'S OUT OF THE BAG - CHAPTER ONE

2011-06-23T20:39:00.019-05:00

COLONIAL HOME IN THE COUNTRY - BUILT IN 1919
THIS BIG RED BARN WILL SAFELY HOUSE THE CATS
FRONT ROOM - PARLOR
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE PARLOR
THIS IS THE DEN/FAMILY ROOMSUN ROOM WITH VIEW OF NEIGHBORING FARMS BRICK FIREPLACE IN THE DEN ONE OF MANY SETS OF BUILT-IN SHELVES

To be sure, no cat was ever in any bag. It's just one of those crazy phrases we say when we want someone to know we're telling something that was previously untold. What's out of the bag? Spouse, the cats, and I are officially moving. Finally. We thought it might never happen. Last year's fiasco - when the seller of the home we were buying backed out of the sale - shocked us and it took quite awhile before we were able to let that go and begin house hunting again. We're now in the process of buying a 92-year-old colonial home here in this area. It was the first one our realtor showed us, but I'm very sure she would not have led us there on her own. It was we who wanted to see the house. Afer we toured it, I posted house photos on this blog, but I wasn't sure about the partial basement and I thought the bathrooms were a bit small. When weighed against all the things I DO like about the house, I can deal with all of that. it. The bathrooms truly are small, but there are three of them and who lives in a bathroom anyway? Spouse thought I didn't want the house and I thought he didn't like it. As it turned out, we both liked it but hadn't expressed it to each other. Much of the paperwork is done, the financial part has been dealt with, and inspections have been completed. The closing is scheduled for July 7th and we feel very sure this will soon be our home. I can hardly wait! There are a few twists to this story, and I'll share them in the next few posts. We'll be telling this story to our grandchildren for years to come. Stay tuned.

GROOMING TIME FOR RUSTY

2011-06-21T23:50:00.008-05:00

Brothers Rusty and Elliot have very long beautiful fur, but Rusty's fur mats easily and Elliot's doesn't. When Rusty came back to me, he had a few small areas of matted fur even though (I'd been told) he had been brushed every day. I don't doubt for a second he had been cared for properly, and he was just as loving when he returned "home" as when he'd been adopted. So the matted areas may simply not have been noticed by his family. He IS a very hairy kitty. At any rate, I took him to a groomer a few weeks ago after allowing him time to adjust to being back home. I hadn't even returned home before the groomer called and said Rusty was not cooperating. She said he jumped off her table twice, hissed and growled, and wiggled free from the collar she had put on him. Her advice was to have him sedated in order to be groomed and I was having none of that. I knew Rusty must have been frightened by something and sure enough, when I picked him up, I learned the groomer had kept barking dogs in the same room with my boy. Before leaving him, I had told her he was very afraid of barking dogs. She didn't listen. Why would she think she knew my animal better than I did? The best part was when she informed me she wasn't going to charge anything for that visit. I should think not! Rusty was so happy to get out of there and I was relieved to have him back with me. I've been grooming him myself, which I should have done in the first place, and he's doing just fine. I don't try to restrain him and I give him as many breaks as he needs. He hasn't once growled or hissed. I think he knows I'm attempting to help him. We have some work left to do, but we'll soon have him mat-free again. Is he a sweet boy or what?

FATHER'S DAY

2011-06-19T02:10:00.008-05:00

DAD AND ME

When I was growing up, one of my dad's first jobs was driving an orange and brown Cook Coffee truck. He had a regular route on which he delivered packages of ground coffee to customers each week. Sometimes I was allowed to go on rounds with him and though I was only four or five at the time, I can remember holding a little bag full of coloring books, crayons, and a doll as we started our day. Mom packed enough lunch for both of us and off we’d go. I couldn’t imagine ever being happier than I was in those moments with my dad. As our family grew, Dad worked in a machine foundry located in the south end of town. It was a common place for people to drop off unwanted animals. There were often litters of kittens or puppies abandoned there and of course the cowards who did the deeds were never seen nor heard. Dad and his co-workers did their best to make sure those animals had a chance in life. They would each take one from the litter and take it home. They never left an animal to fend for itself. I’m quite sure my love and compassion for animals comes from having my dad as an example and mentor. The foundry closed with little warning and Dad had to find another job. We had just moved to another house and he hadn’t anticipated being out of work. After much searching he found a job that would allow him to support our family of six. Dad’s official title at his new job was, “maintenance supervisor”, but some would have called him a janitor. It didn’t matter what the job was called, Dad took it seriously and worked proudly. He never minded going to work. He loved being able to provide for us. There were times when it seemed all Dad did was work, sleep, and eat, and that left little time for us. His new job required him to work the second shift, so he was getting ready to leave the house as we arrived home from school. The weekends were the best times with him. I now realize he must have been tired from working all week, but he made time to play with us and the neighborhood kids who came to play. Aftter graduating from high school, I left home for nurse's training and it was Dad who helped me get through the nights of intense studying. He worked just a mile from my dorm and would either call me or I’d call him and plead with him to come get me out of there for a little while. There were nights he took me to Isaly’s for ice cream - he always ordered White House, which was vanilla ice cream with red cherries in it - and I always ordered Chocolate Marshmallow. It never dawned on me that he might not have the time or the funds to take me out and buy ice cream. Years later, I learned he had to make up the time he’d been gone from work. One night in particular, he and I stopped at a Kresge store where he bought me an amber colored mug for my dorm room. It wasn’t expensive, but I loved it and it resides in my kitchen cupboard to this day. He also bought me a small blue hand towel with which to decorate my tiny dorm bathroom. He never wanted to take me back to the dorm without giving me a few dollars since I had no money of my own and little time to earn any. He once offered me the last two dollars he had. I took one and insisted he keep the other. I told him if we each had one dollar, neither of us would be broke. He liked that. When I was in nursing school, I had no idea Dad would so soon be gone. I graduated as an RN in 1971 and Dad suffered a fatal heart attack at work one cold February night in 1972. A few months earlier, he had been smiling as he walked me down the aisle as I married my spouse. I remember being scared and nervous before we started our walk. He leaned over and said, “Don’t worry, your ol’ dad is right here for you”, and so he was. During his funeral, many people related stories about how Dad had loaned them money (though he had little himself), or how he’d fixed a flat tire for someone at work. We heard how he put in good words for others who sought jobs at his workplace. Whether his superiors needed someone to pick up luggage at the airport or paint their homes, Dad was the first to volunteer. He was even known to take people home from church while we waited for him to come back afterward and get us. We weren’t always happy about the choices he made, but we always knew his heart was in the right place.

Thank you Dad, for knowing what was important in life. You were strong in your faith and in your relationships with family. You were very generous and always compassionate toward people and animals. Though you didn’t have a college education, you had great “people skills”. I know you genuinely loved your family and friends. I'm still amazed at how you were able to put others at ease with your sense of humor. You had a work ethic that surpasses any I’ve ever known, and you didn’t just do the job for which you were hired. You went the extra mile for anyone who needed your help. Thank you for teaching me that people are worth the effort, that animals need to be loved and cared for, and that hard work blesses one’s life. Thank you for all the times you were strict and all the times you weren’t. I know you were trying to teach me to be a kind and decent person and though I still have a lot to learn, I hope I’m following in your footsteps. I love you, Dad, and miss you more than words can express.

GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND

2011-06-17T17:06:00.017-05:00

MAY I BE YOUR "GUY FRIDAY"?

STEALING FOLDERS IS HARD WORK

DEPOSIT ENVELOPES TASTE BETTER THAN FOLDERS
WAIT...I ALMOST HAVE IT
HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU, KID
I'LL MAKE SURE THIS MACHINE IS CAT SCANNED YOU GUYS ARE GONNA BE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE HEY YOU...GET OFFA' MY DESK. I WAS HERE FIRST

There's never a dull moment around here, especially if I have a lot of paperwork to complete. I was paying bills online today but the process took twice as long as it should have. I had a tribe of helpers scattering papers and envelopes like confetti and typing in their own numbers and letters as I attempted to reply to emails. They had a wonderful time playing and I actually enjoyed watching their antics. Everytime I left my chair to pick up papers or retrieve an envelope, one or two of my furry companions hopped into my computer chair and waited for a "ride". Yes, I indulged them. Cody and Elliot are the ones who most like to twirl in the chair. Before we begin our ritual, I tell them to, "hang on tightly", and they always comply. I swivel them a few turns in one direction, then a few in the other. I don't want them to become dizzy. They love to ride in the chair and it just occured to me that might be part of the reason I wasn't able to accomplish all I set out to do today. The cats had fun and so did I...and the chair needs to be replaced anyway.

LITTLE HELPERS

2011-06-14T12:40:00.010-05:00

Spouse thinks I'm home alone but he doesn't realize I have "helpers" around me all day long. I can't open a cupboard door or drawer, place a box on the floor, or pull out a paper sack, without having a bright-eyed, whiskered, furry face ready to help with any task. Just look at Elliot perched on this computer desk. He's ready to walk across the keyboard and add his commentary to everything I attempt to type. He's quite willing to act as a fluffy paperweight for my ever growing stack of printed clutter. As inconvenient as it might be at times to have felines at every turn, I love them all unconditionally. They return that love and provide an endless source of entertainment.

AND ON IT GOES

2011-06-09T09:09:00.008-05:00

HOUSE WE TOURED LAST NIGHT
BACKYARD WAS NOT AS BIG AS IT LOOKS HERE
WHAT A NICE FIREPLACE

THIS WOULD BE A WONDERFUL SEWING/CRAFTING ROOM

We toured another house last night and that one was much closer to what we'd like to have. The only "problem" for me was the house was in a community where the homes are in very close proximity to one another. There's nothing wrong with that except that's how I've lived for all my married life and I'm ready for some open spaces. I truly don't think I'm being picky. I just feel the need to have a little more room to roam than I've had for all these years and I definitely need a little bit of land on which to house my furry feline friends. Last night's house had three spacious bedrooms, two nicely decorated bathrooms, and a great livingroom and kitchen. I loved the color scheme as well. It was a refreshing change from all the neutrals we've been seeing. Spouse and I love color, so neutral walls and carpets, which many realtors suggest are needed, do nothing for us. I was expecially taken by the study in that house. It could very easily become an awesome sewing room. If I could take the house we saw last night and place it on the acreage we toured on Sweet Potato Ridge Road, I think we'd have a winner. We're going out searching again tonight, and as our realtor stated, we're getting closer to the right combination.

RUNNING ON EMPTY

2011-06-08T14:14:00.017-05:00

HOUSE #1 ON THE TOUR LAST NIGHT VIEW FROM THE DECK OF HOUSE #1
BACKYARD VIEW FROM HOUSE #1
HOUSE #2 ON LAST NIGHT'S SEARCH
BARN ON LAND OF HOUSE #2 HOUSE #3 ON SWEET POTATO RIDGE VIEW FROM BACKYARD OF HOUSE #3

The search for a different house is most frustrating. I can't say that Spouse and I disagree, but it does seem we have different priorities. I'm a detail person, and he looks at the big picture. So while he's checking furnace, air conditioning, and plumbing in a house, I'm looking out the kitchen window to make sure there's a scenic view and checking out the kitchen for ample counter space and cupboards. We both want a medium size ranch with a barn on a little bit of land. Why should that be so hard to find? While it's true we're trying to stay withing our agreed upon budget, I don't understand why we're not finding a place that has the things we want and need. Our realtor showed us three homes last night and we're going out again this evening. Last night's homes were ok, and each one had its good points, but none evoked a, "this is the one", feeling in either of us. The first house was a "no" for me as soon as I walked in the door. For one thing, the master bedroom was directly across from the front door. How odd was that? The second house was sweet but entirely too small. The huge red barn on the property was impressive though. Two houses might have easily fit inside it, but it had a dirt floor and with all these cats, that would not be prudent. There was nothing the least bit special about the last house we saw, except for the land on which it sat. There were five beautiful acres of farm fields and woods. Had we felt the house met our needs, that might have been the one for us. I've spent hours looking online for possibilities, but I've not found the right combination of home, barn, and location. Maybe I'm looking for something that doesn't exist. I'm sure I'll know the right house when I see it so I'll keep trying.

SAY CHEEZE.....

2011-06-04T12:42:00.003-05:00

I needed a good chuckle today and this photo fit the bill. I found it on the Facebook page of one of my Farmville neighbors. He gave his permission for me to post it here. I laugh every time I think of it. This looks like something my own furry ones would do if given the chance.

BURSTING THE BUBBLE

2011-06-03T08:57:00.004-05:00

This has been a week of highs and lows. The highs included excitement and anticipation over touring a country house build in 1919. The house, barn, farm meadows behind it, and even the winding country road on which the house sits, all seem to add to the perfect country scene. I wanted to live in that setting. Spouse and I met our realtor at the house last evening and began our tour in the barn. It appeared the barn had been unused for decades. We'd been told (by the listing realtor) that a workshop had been built onto the rear exterior and ran the entire length of the barn. That was not true. The workshop turned out to be just two old musty make-shift rooms built inside the barn. Both were full of wood remnants and other "stuff", and one had a mountain of empty cardboard boxes in the middle of it. I had to leave the "workshop" area because of the strong aroma of mold and mildew.

The part of the barn which would have housed my furry felines was odor free and large enough to hold them comfortably, with lots of room for play, but there were no windows so the area was dark. Windows would have to be installed before I'd ever house my cats there. So the barn wasn't exactly as I'd pictured it. It actually wasn't at all as I'd thought it would be, but Spouse and I told ourselves we could open it up, air it out, remove the debris and make it work. Then we went into the house.

The house interior was decorated with a Victorian theme and was clean and inviting, but since there had been many room additions through the years, the layout of the house was a little confusing - it had no "flow". There were areas I loved, such as the family room with its gorgeous brick fireplace, and the light, airy all-seasons room with a wonderful view of the meadows and neighboring farms. I could have stayed in that room all evening, but there were also areas I didn't like at all. The two tiny second-story rooms, which I though might be a cozy sewing room and a small guest bedroom, were less than charming. It was obvious those rooms hadn't been touched for years. The bathrooms, while clean and nicely decorated, were simply too small for comfort and then there was the basement, which was downright creepy.

The kitchen was ok but very closed-in. I'm used to having a window over the sink and a view of my cabin and the woods behind it. Overall, I think my biggest problem with the house was how dark it was inside. There were windows, but due to the overhang on the outside of the house, the light wasn't getting inside. In the end, we pretty much decided this was not the house for us. I so much wanted it to be the one in which we would live and entertain family and friends, but even our realtor suggested we should keep looking, and so we will.

WHEN A DOOR CLOSES . . . A WINDOW OPENS

2011-05-31T09:28:00.019-05:00

YOU CAN CLICK ON EACH PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT

I've always been taught when a door closes in my life, God opens a window. I'm not sure my window has been opened just yet, but it's possible. Spouse and I want to move and we've been searching for a house for quite awhile. We thought we'd found the perfect place for us last fall, but the seller backed out and we had to re-group and begin again. The seller has recently contacted us, after being silent for all these months, and now says there might be a way we can still buy the house, if we're willing to "wait awhile", but how long is "awhile"? We've waited 9 months already and the plans the seller has offered will definitely not work for us financially. We've finally moved on from thinking we'll ever have that house. Spouse was able to let go of that notion long before I was. I loved the location, the barn, the neighbors, and the horses grazing just over the fence in the backyard, but I truly didn't love the house so much. It was mostly the picturesque setting I wanted. Isn't it odd how sometimes what we think we want is not always what we need? While searching for "brick ranch, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a barn", we came across a listing for a majestic old house, built in 1919. It has been updated to include all the modern conveniences. We drove past it and realized we had seen it many times before and Spouse had ridden by it on his bike. It sits on a little over an acre of land and has a beautiful big red barn. It happens to be a two-story, which I swore I didn't want. The master bedroom is on the first floor though, along with a family room, the updated kitchen, dining room, livingroom, an all-seasons room, and possibly another bedroom. We haven't toured the house yet, but hope to this week. Some good friends of ours who know the owner tell us the house has been lovingly cared for and the updates were well done. This might be the window of opportunity for which we've been hoping and praying. We're open to the possibility.

MEMORIAL DAY

2011-05-28T12:14:00.006-05:00

The Real Meaning of Memorial Day

I'd like to share an except from a letter written by a fallen soldier's mother. This was first shared by ABC News in 2005. Georgette Frank's son Lance Cpl. Philip Frank, 20, was killed in Fallujah by sniper fire on April 8, 2004. She wrote this essay on the real meaning of Memorial Day.

"Dear Friends,

In the past I would look forward to Memorial Day. It represented the beginning of the summer season at the Jersey Shore and a three-day weekend.

Then we lost our Phil in Iraq.

Memorial Day has now become a day of reflection and remembrance. It is a day to remember all of our Fallen Heroes from all of the wars. It is a day to think about the families that will forever grieve for their lost loved ones. It is a day to be thankful to those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. They fought and died to win the freedom and democracy that we Americans cherish so dearly. They also fought and died to bring that same freedom and democracy to the people of other countries as well. As the family of a Fallen Hero, we are so proud of our loved ones who knowingly put themselves in harm's way so they could make a difference in the lives of others...."

As you gather and celebrate with family and friends, please remember our soldiers and their families. Have a safe and memorable weekend.

ITTY BITTY KITTY

2011-05-25T00:18:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I received a call from a friend who sounded very desperate. She had rescued a tiny kitten from a very busy street but felt she could not take the kitten home. Her apartment is already home to eight cats, some of which don't get along well with each other. I understood her problem, but my home is full of furry felines too. so I could not take in the kitten. She asked if I knew someone who might help and I called upon another animal rescuer friend (whose home is full as well) and asked for her input. I assured her I wasn't asking her to take in the little waif. It was upsetting to think none of us had room for a tiny kitten, but all of us were determined to find a positive solution. I made calls to several animal adoption agencies but my calls were not immediately returned. My friends and I were emailing back and forth all afternoon trying to find a forever home for Daisy, as the vet had named her. He said she was probably 6 weeks old. The friend who saved her from certain death in traffic had generously taken her to the vet for a check-up and a leukemia test (negative, yeah!). Daisy remained at the vet's office until 6:30 last evening, when . . . her forever family went there to claim her. My animal rescuer friend had sent emails to all of her friends and one sweet woman jumped at the chance to be the tiny kitten's human mama. She said she had regretted not claiming another kitten my friend had found some months earlier. She, her spouse, and their children truly wanted a kitten and in fact, the spouse had suggested going to a pet store to look for one that very evening. We all know pet store kittens deserve loving homes too, but Daisy's needs were immediate. Though I played only a small role in helping Daisy find her forever family, I'm so glad I was where I needed to be yesterday. The friend who saved Daisy was exactly where she needed to be, and the other friend was precisely where she was meant to be. Now Daisy is where she is supposed to be - in the arms of a loving family. Don't you just love happy endings?

KITCHEN PROGRESS

2011-05-23T11:31:00.007-05:00

We're making progress in our kitchen "make-over". We chose to paint cabinets doors instead of replacing whole cabinet units and we gave the kitchen walls a brand new coat of paint in a warm taupe-like color. Since neutrals seem to be what some home buyers look for these days, that's what we hope to present. Spouse worked hard over the weekend and I'm sure he's dragging today. He spent a good bit of time in the garage painting the doors and re-hung them last night. He still has a shelf and trim to paint, but it feels as if we're in the home stretch, at least as far as the kitchen goes. One good thing (I guess) about having all the doors off the cabinets is that I could see all the "stuff" inside them. I have to admit it was a bit overwhelming. Since Daughter was holding a garage sale over the weekend, I asked if I might add some items to hers so that was great incentive to purge the cabinets of those things we no longer use or need. Spouse and I delivered all the garage sale leftovers to our church for their rummage sale to be held in two weeks. It seemed like a win/win situation to us. Once the kitchen is done, we'll move on to the master bathroom to spruce things up in there. Our house hunting hasn't been very productive but we're determined to keep working until we do find a home and place this one on the market.

WHAT'S FOR DESSERT?

2011-05-20T06:45:00.008-05:00

Yesterday my daughter invited us to view an art show at Granddaughter's school and asked us to join her family for dinner afterward. I volunteered to make some dessert and decided on two old favorites - Lemon Bars and Raspberry Bars. I've made both "by scratch" in the past but I had two mixes on hand and fixed those. I think they were well-received. I've read some varied reviews about the mixes I used, but I've always had good luck with them. They make baking quicker, but not less messy. I'm the messiest baker I know.

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT

2011-05-17T13:35:00.008-05:00

HOLLY - PRINCESS OF GRUMP

RUSTY CAN BE A BIT OF A SCRAPPER, BUT HE'S VERY SWEET
BAILEY'S NOT THE BRAVEST BOY ON THE BLOCK BUT HE'S CUTE

ELLIOT WATCHING "CATS 101" ON ANIMAL PLANET

Some days I have a "sitcom" right here in Cat World. Yesterday I was taking wet towels from the washer and placing them in the dryer when I detected an altercation brewing. Holly was warning another cat to keep his distance from her. I immediately recognized Holly's low throaty growl. She's my resident grump. She's also the most elder cat I have right now, so maybe she has a right to be grumpy. The thing is, she's been grumpy for most of her life and though I'm used to hearing those growls, most of the time they seem unwarranted to me. She growls if another cat looks at her, comes near her food bowl, or dares to take a drink of water if she's standing nearby.

When I turned to see what the growling was all about, I saw Rusty standing in front of Holly, simply staring at her. Cats often remind me of kids and I can remember a time when my sisters and I would call for our mom...."Mom, Bud's looking at us", as if that was a crime. I think cats have some of the same traits as human children. None likes to be nudged, stared at, or bullied by another. Rusty, while sweet as pie most of the time, does seem to enjoy pushing Holly's buttons. Not ones to miss a good fuss, Elliot and Bailey showed up in the utility room to see what was going on with Holly. There they stood - Holly was holding court from atop an elevated cat bed in which she sleeps. Rusty was standing about six inches away, just staring at her. Elliot was standing backed up behind Rusty, and Bailey was so close to his brother that his nose was practically in Elliot's bushy tail. Sweet unassuming Bailey is not the bravest of my clan, so he sort of stands back and lets his brothers take on a challenger.

As I stood there observing the cats, all of a sudden, Holly lashed out at Rusty. I don't think she landed any blows, but Rusty was caught off-guard and jumped backwards right into Elliot's face. Rusty apparently thought Elliot was after him too, so he swiftly turned around and smacked Elliot in the head. I don't think Elliot actually knew how to interpret that action. He's generally very laid back and not at all combative. He gets along with his brothers, but he was also taken off-guard so he turned around and smacked Bailey, who ran like the wind in the opposite direction. The interaction looked like a scene from a Three Stooges movie. I wanted to console the cats, but didn't know which one needed the most reassurance, so I decided to let them work it out among themselves. It's always entertaining around here.

ROOT BEER ANYONE?

2011-05-14T00:54:00.014-05:00

FROSTED MUGS FILLED WITH ROOT BEER - YUM!

ACTUAL A&W ROOT BEER STAND WE VISITED SO MANY YEARS AGO - IT REMAINS AT THE SAME LOCATION TODAY

My spouse and I don't yet know if we're any closer to moving to another house, but we've decided to continue painting and updating this one until that time comes. We intend to downsize, so we're letting go of things we've used and stored, but may never use again. Tonight we took some glasses and mugs from cupboard shelves and decided which to keep and which to donate. When I saw our A&W Root Beer mugs I was reminded of the sweet memories we made when we visited the old root beer stand. On one visit, our daughter was given a tiny A&W mug and told she would receive free root beer in it every time she brought it back to the stand. You know we had to take that mug with us every time. Daughter mentioned it not to long ago so I think she'd like to have it. We all loved sipping root beer from frosted mugs and eventually Spouse and I bought the two large ones for ourselves. Those seemed to be such simple times - back when we ate hot dogs with wild abandon and didn't even wonder about how much sodium was in them or what meats were used to make them. A&W Root Beer stands were famous for their footlongs, though I don't remember when I last had one. The A&W drive-in we used to frequent is still in operation, but we haven't been there in ages. We'll have to be content to conjure up those wonderful memories now and then....but those mugs are definitely keepers.

EVERYTHING'S JUST DUCKY

2011-05-11T21:58:00.000-05:00

After a busy day of doing laundry, working on kitchen clean-up, and finishing cat care, it was so relaxing to visit Sycamore Trails Park here in the 'Burg. I don't go there as often as I could but I don't know why. The park is less than 10 minutes away and I love feeding the ducks and watching the squirrels play. What's not to like? When my daughter was little, I used to pack our lunches, pop some corn, and drive to the park where we'd spend the whole afternoon coloring and feeding ducks. I've done the same with my granddaughter and we always had a wonderful time. I've recently been depriving myself of some great experiences I could have right here in my own town. Now that the weather is better, I'll go to the park more often.

NOAH'S HUGS

2011-05-09T15:02:00.008-05:00

HUGS ARE GOOD

There's a sweet little boy named Noah who attends the same church I do. His grandparents bring him almost every Sunday and have explained that Noah struggles with autism. When I first met Noah, he seemed very shy and didn't utter a word when I was around him. There were times he did make a few loud sounds during the service though. To the congregation's credit, no one turned around to see who made the noise. They knew it was Noah. He's a part of the church family and is accepted just as he is. Noah has been attending school and is progressing well. He now talks a little and is learning to call people by name. The most endearing news is that Noah now gives hugs. I received three from him yesterday. What I love about Noah's hugs is they come from his heart. He accompanied each hug with the wouds, "I give you hug", and that truly warmed my heart. I pray for Noah's continued success and hope he never stops offering hugs.