Putting in a fireplace! Well, the insert is in but we are off to buy a mantel today and then the veneer brick will be started this weekend. Probably not finished but at least started. Also, little things like hockey, walks.

Yum, homemade noodles. I don't believe my DM ever purchased noodles her entire life, she always made them, along with the homemade chicken soup. Me, on the other hand, different story! Today we are going to watch granddaughters at their swim competitions. Will probably go for a walk later, since we are supposed to have record-breaking warm temperatures. At this time of year for us this is wonderful news.

Hibernating! Not liking the colder temperatures.

It's really storming here, rain and wind to about 45 mph I think. Good morning to be tucked inside, but I have leaves everywhere outdoors - driveway, front slate entry, patio all buried in leaves. I'd envisioned a next home with tall evergreens, and what I got was pear, cherry, dogwood, maples, magnolia ;0(

DH is pretty good about doing the cleanup, and the wind is supposed to ease about noon. In the meantime, I'm filing, sorting, purging papers in my office - it's been a mess I just can't ignore any longer.

Today was the first day all week that it hasn't been too windy to rake leaves. The sun is shining and I was able to do some raking. I had half of them done, and the landlord came to do it. He thanked me and appreciated me helping and the two of us finished it.

I am making ice cream. FINALLY! Been wanting to make it forever, since I moved in here. Chocolate today, and strawberry tomorrow. Then I am inviting my ice-cream loving friends for an afternoon of enjoying the ice cream. :) I need a change.

My foot is ok, but my whole being not so much.

My German girl friend had a mediation
meeting between her lawyer, his lawyer and him and a judge... and it
didn't take the projected 4 hours, it took 8 hours. That damn soon to
be EX of hers is a real stupid blankedy blank!
At least, she held
together well, and is ok with the outcome so far. Another meeting will
come about, going about alimony, child support and visitation.

My
OKC Master Gardner Friend Jean died on Tuesday. Pretty devastating
seeing her deteriorate as fast as she did, once she went in the
hospital, and then even faster in the hospice house. Of course, the
only good thing about it all is, Jean is no longer in any pain.

The funeral is today.

I
started walking without crutches about Monday, and besides my foot
really hurting the first day back on it... it is doing fine.

The
house really isn't coming along, as the funds are not here, and I need
to be slow, as I am doing everything as I can pay for it. But the new ducts are in, and the new heater, and I am so glad, as it got cold enough for me to turn it on in the morning to get the chill off.
I
did finally get the whole house floors totally clean, which meant doing
a bunch of furniture moving, where I was glad, there wasn't much.
All the floors look GREAT, and the room where I took the carpet up, is OK, without getting it sanded down and totally re-done.
I love the Bona products! They performed well, and made it all look really really good.

I need to get back on my bike, but meanwhile I started swimming again. I will do a loop (on the bike) around the lake tomorrow afternoon (10 mile loop plus the ride there and back).

I need to get out of this slump.

Moni

DH is out of town this weekend for the first time since I started being treated for the Lymphoma. I'm finally strong enough to be able to take the dog on her walks and warm up some leftovers for my meals. Still have a l-o-n-g way to go, but it is a BIG improvement since July. If my energy holds out, I'd like to spend some time in my wood shop reclaiming a piece of wood from our renovations. If I'm able to make it look like something, it will become a small countertop in the corner of our kitchen where we keep our cell phones, mail etc.

This morning I went to pick up my Bountiful Basket with 2 gfs and then we went out for breakfast. Ran to the bank for dh and pretty soon I am going to Bath Body Works for their $3.00 lotions. Going to walk, but not sure if inside or outside, sunny but cold. I need to put all of my veggies and fruit away and see what I want to make this week with them.

made the little meatballs for our Thanksgiving Day soup., escarole soup or italian wedding soup as its called. made banana bread, crumb cake and going to make mini chocolate chip pumpkin muffins next. tomorrow, cleaning shed and putting all the flower pots away for the winter!! Ugh, big job. getting done by 1:00 to watch the Eagles and football the rest of the day!!

Everyone is so busy and working hard!

I met step bro and wife and a potential buyer for Mom's house this morning. The couple say yes they want it, didn't flinch when we gave them a price, ready to get things settled asap. Wow. My step brother and sister-in-law and I are beyond happy.

I just got back from that and put the kettle on for a pot of tea. Tonight I'm going to a Madrigal Dinner, always enjoys those, and this particular church does an excellent job with both musical program and meal. A little earlier than I like, prefer to attend Madrigals a little closer to Christmas but know I will still enjoy it very much.

I'm painting the guest bath and cleaning all of the light globes and glassware the I love to collect.

Right after my nap :-)

I haven't made noodles (or even dumplings) in ages. They're so good!

I went to the farmer's market this morning, and stopped in at a flea market but didn't buy anything (whew!). I'm trying to sell my DH's lab ware, so I spent some time photographing it.

I promised myself I'd juice (vegetables) today, but haven't gotten to it. Nor have I even looked at the vacuum cleaner. Oh, well, there's always tomorrow. :-)

What an industrious bunch! I am happy that those of you who have been dealing with health issues are doing well. DH and I are at our riverhouse this weekend. It is a pretty day - sunny, blue sky, no wind, but freeze warning has been issued for tonight. We are finishing up "putting away summer". I was sad to take out the tomato plants. They were still producing and lush. I gathered some ripe tomatoes and lots of green ones. I will make some pickled green tomatoes and give the remainder to a friend. I brought in a couple of maple leaves for some autumn decorating. The knockoff roses are big and bright. I might cut some to put in vases. We put up the vinyl screens on the porch, covered the picnic table and chairs, and will drain hoses and turn off water in the dock house and at the outdoor spigots. I am debating whether to eat at home tonight or go to a nearby restaurant for local oysters since they are in season.

I went to a craft show this am at the clubhouse then hit the bank andMarshall's to do a little shopping. Tonight I am going with some friends to Charlestown Race track for horse racing. Actually I mostly go for the wonderful buffet they serve although I will probably place a few bets.

Working in the house. We have an assembly line going putting together furniture and stuff. Putting stuff away in drawers, have the master bathroom all done just needs a good cleaning by the cleaning team. Tried out my new neato robot vacuum it was very impressive. Moving stuff in from the storage units a little at the time and cleaning it up before putting it in place. Had a pest control company in yesterday to spray the house, attic, garage, exterior of the house and the storage units. I don't want to bring bugs into the house if they are in the storage containers. It was a green spray because I have asthma and had no scent at all. Hope it works!

We are exhausted and hungry so going to dinner.

Some of my family will be visiting tomorrow, they are catching their plane to Cancun at Houston Airport. I want to stow away in the luggage.