Last week of January! OH MY!

Seriously, where has the month gone. I have to make a list of my accomplishments so far this year. Today was a bit of a lazy day for me. I did the dishes(actually loaded and unloaded the dishwasher) Made home made chicken soup, yummy, tough to smell it all day without eating it until dinner, but YUM. I had to call on the internet billing and on closing an old bank account. Talked to my mom also, who is having an ultrasound tomorrow for her bladder. Dad is having an eye exam and Loda is having her toenails clipped and shots. Dave and Brenda are coming up from Fargo to get it done! Rodney has emailing me at least a few times a week, I have to teach him about attachments so he can send me photos. I scanned some patterns into my computer this morning and will be ready to do some crafts in the next couple of days. Brad has given me some jeans to shorten for him and I have a few other things to finish up. I am going to start communicating by regular mail. I need to send mail to Mom, Krystle and Sarah(Andrews wife) for starters. I am trying to blog each week, but perhaps I should just try twice a month to begin. Keira had a fall off their couch a little over a week ago and was in the hospital for surgery and was released after 6 days. I mailed her some books and puzzles which she opened when she got home. I will be teaching wed and thurs this week, the customer service desk class. They have been painting and purging at the store and hope to find all my materials when I go to work tomorrow. I was invited to a group called Crookston Connections on facebook, what alot of memories coming out as the photos and comments are posted. I have invited all of my HS crookston friends who were not already on there. It is looking to be quite fun.

First week of January 2013

Well, I have accomplished a lot in the first week of January. I am staying on my diet and trying to walk everyday with the dogs and Brad. Tonight I finished making 8 pillowcases out of an old but sturdy waterbed sheet. Cool. Nice recycle, I have been making lists and finishing projects. I have put the rest of the holiday deco away also. Last night I started working on the stiffness in my left shoulder, of course, it left me having a difficult time to sleep all night. I have to try to stretch it every day at least twice. I have started scanning photos, and compiling recipes online. A long way to go....I started reading the book "Tatoos on the Heart", so far it is pretty interesting. It is about a minister to incarcerated people and gang members. Tomorrow is a new day for a new project.!!!

New Year 2013

Wow, we made it. Brad and I went out to eat at Chevys for our anniversary last night. New Years Eve!! I made a small list of items to finish first for the New Year. First I finished sewing on two sweaters, one a button, the other tacking down pockets. Second I finished my Tunisian afghan/throw. I will add a photo soon. Brad took all the outside lights and decorations in as we started having windy days. We are putting them into the basement this weekend when we put away the inside decorations for Christmas. I am organizing my recipes online at desktopcookbook.com I am putting in tried and true recipes and ingredients etc. I will give credit where due for the origin of the recipe if I know it. I have made a promise to myself to finish projects before starting any new ones, unless it is a project I have completed before and can finish it in short time. I also want to try a new stitch this year???? Let you know when I find it. Tonight I am roasting a turkey in the oven, with out the stuffing, I have also prepared cranberry sauce and coleslaw, plus put potatoes in the oven with the turkey. Brad and I want to try to eat more sensible and healthy from now on.

New Years is Coming

Well, Brad asked me if I had my New Years resolution list done……haha. I am going to work on 3 things this year as priorities. 1. Finish up started projects or purge them! 2. Communicate more with cards,letters and phone calls. 3. Do more traveling with Brad!! Our 12th anniversary is coming tomorrow and I just want to say that I love Brad with all my heart. He is the Best Husband in the world. We enjoy so much together and our love of learning and reading is so fun. We have traveled a lot together exploring many places and I look forward to many more. He is also a great photographer, even if I am not a willing subject at the time, I appreciate the photos later. Love you Brad!! I am happy that I was able to do so much this year, I will list some of them. Fly to Minnesota. Learn to do Tunisian Crochet. Lots of refinishing projects. New insulin pump. Strawberry patch. Read many books. Tried many new recipes, we got hooked on Stir fry! New computer. Took a lot of photos. My lowest A1C yet!! Teaching customer service classes. Camped at the Beach. Retreat at the Beach. Peacock Lane. Rode our bicycles on Clearwater Trail and picked blackberries. Hoyts Arboretum. Fruit Loop in Hood River. Hiked in Washington. Daily neighborhood walks with the dogs. I know I have missed a few things, but a very enjoyable year for sure.

Here we are on Christmas Day!! Peace to you.

Christmas Eve

Today I cleaned so much and so deep. wow. I should be exhausted. Bedroom, bathroom and floors, so much done.

We gave the dogs a haircut, gorgeous. we are going to Peacock lane for the walking lights.

Amazing to see so many people our on Christmas Eve, but a very nice night for the lights.

When we got home the puppies had a bath and off to bed we went. Santa comes in the morning!!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas 2012

Today is Christmas Eve!!

Here is our card for this year, I created it on Picaboo.com from Photos Brad took during the year! We are having a quiet Christmas this year, will try to skype with someone for sure. Our tree this year is a ‘charlie brown’ style tree.

october 2012

Okay, hit a couple of snags in my refinishing progress. Have sanded the door to my computer room twice and can't seem to get the finish to set, when I have put the first coat of poly on it. It looks like crap, I will sand once more and see what happens. Very frustrated about this door!! So.......Brad is staining it and he will decide if we should just buy a new door...yikes. On a positive note, finished the parquet look table for Brads side of the bed, turned out great!! I have done most of the trim boards for the doorways now, just to finish up and hang them. Read the book The Homecoming of Samuel Lake, that was kinda sad and alarming, but the author writes in a way that keeps you coming back for more. The author is Jenny Wingfield, I will be looking to see if she writes more.The book was about a minister and his family, daughter Swan Lake and their neighbors. The next book I finished was Blessings by Anna Quindlen, the book was about an abandoned infant and a worker at a farm who found her. I really liked this book. The end was sad though. I am now reading and almost finished with Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes. An older book about a retarded man who they do an experimental surgery on and he becomes quite genious. It is kinda sad also to know things that have happened to him and things don't really get too much different after the surgery except his intelligence. Will recap next time I write when I am finished, hoping for some kind of a happy ending here. Today I made two new recipes. First I made Pasty's with ground beef,potato,carrot, and onion inside a pastry crust, Second, I made a small meatloaf in a round cake pan with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese on top. Both were very good for lunch and plenty left for supper and tomorrow. I am thinking of a lemon meringue pie...........perhaps in just a bit. Brad is taking a nap and I could surprise him. Washing a couple loads of clothes and it is raining all day today......It is also Andrews 30th birthday today, I called but so far spoke to voice mailbox. Spoke to Brenda last night, Dave had a heart attack on Monday and still has 30% blockage of his heart. He sounded quite chipper but has off till next Wednesday I believe. He is soooo lucky to have gotten medical attention quickly. Today got a message from Krystle, perhaps we will finally talk by phone~~ too long.......for sure. Oh yes, update for baby Dale, due end of March 2013.....no update on the baby's sex yet. On the crochet topic, I finished one prayer shawl, about half done with #2 and still have to finish the cotton throw. Will work on that tomorrow for sure. I have went through some patterns looking for stuff for the baby also. Halloween is this week, gonna carve the pumpkins tonight!!! Almost ready.

September 2012 more and more woodwork

Well, I have been steadily working with wood, stain and polyurethane the last week. I finished the master bedroom door, put new hinges and door knob on it. Bought the hinges at home depot and knob set at fred meyer. I am still working on the trim board for that door. Before putting up the trim board I am going to paint the part of wall under it. I used the cherry stain for the door frame and also the satin polyurethane. I also sanded down a small table that Brad uses as a nightstand, kinda beat up looking with water stains on top.The top was kinda like parquet look and the under markings on that table claimed made in Denmark!! Tonight I used the pre stain conditioner and actually stained it cherry, It was very beautiful. Tomorrow I will apply at least two coats of polyurethane, not sure if I will use satin or semi gloss. Let you know next week. Tomorrow I will remove the door to my bedroom for sanding ........and on it goes. Will keep up with this progress next week. I finished the book, Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett today, a wonderful story of hope for African woman and children fighting poverty and AIDS and the volunteers and mission of churches. Really a great story for faith and hope. Next book is Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors, will write more as I get going with this one. I am also doing a couple of audio books by Alan Alda, first one is How Not to Stuff a Dog. A bit on his life as he grew up and his family, also some about his career. Some humor and of course, why and how they stuffed his first dog. Funny. We are planning another bike ride tomorrow toward Gresham on the Springwater trail just south of us. We have planned on finding and picking blackberries also. Wish us luck. Last time Brad and I biked this (about two weeks ago) We ended up riding at least 19 miles. About 4 miles farther than we planned because we missed the turn on the way back. We did get back by dark though! Most favorite online game, Hidden Chronicles followed by Song Pop. Oh yes, I finished the last strip on the throw I am crocheting with the Tunisian stitch. I am just edging that last strip and on to putting the strips together. I am doing it in Crochet cotton, a natural looking color. It is very soft. I should have this finished by next posting here. I am anxious to start some things for Brian and Sarah's baby due in May 2013.

February 2nd, Ground Hogs Day, 2010

Okay was a busy weekend, got the taxes done and filed. YEAH!!! Started on the basement, organizing and donating books. I decided that I was only gonna keep my favorite authors which I have many books to read from. I sold some to the Dakota Book Store in Gresham and took a bunch to the church for their future sale. I have MORE to donate yet.
I finished two more prayer shawls and dropped them off at our meeting yesterday. We are having a blessing for our on hand ones later this month at church. I started another one and am already about six inches on it. I made one scarf {trial pattern} for myself out of one skein of fur yarn and one skein of 4 ply. Now am working on a purple one for Brad, his birthday is Monday............. He will be 50 hehehehe
I just finished with the audio book, The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks and am starting the audio of Water for Elephants tomorrow. We are reading that one soon for the book club. I am reading the book, Winter in Kabul, which is the next book we are reviewing for the club. I also finished Mystery of the Angry Idol by phylis Whitney.
Well off to eat Chili, made a big pot the other day...........then Idol tonight.

March 2012 and exercise and yoga

Well, I have been doing my Wii yoga/exercise for almost 4 straight weeks. I feel so much better and my energy is increasing. I am not necessarily doing this for weight loss, though that would be a benefit. I am doing this for a daily routine for my health and my diabetes. My last A1C was 6.8 and I want to keep that or lower it more.
I have given up unhealthy snacks also, goodbye to cheetos, doritos etc, I am now eating cheese/peanut butter crackers and bread sticks and cheese. We are eating more fruits and vegetables also.
Today I cooked Lasagne and a dish with blackeyed peas and sausage. I also baked a loaf of bread with my bread machine. We will have at least 4 meals from these two dishes.
Hope to start blogging daily.

Sept 2012 wood work and other things

Okay, so I am starting in september to see if I can at least blog weekly since it has been two years since I posted last.... This summer I have decided I am going to refinish everything in sight!!! haha I first started in the bathroom, sanding the door, the door frame, the towel holders, they turned out gorgeous....Brad took about an inch off the bottom of the door due to damage. Bought new door knob and polyurethaned all the wood I sanded. Stain finish used was cherry finish. I also painted the vanity and Brad and I painted the bathroom a lovely shade of lavender. Next year we are hoping to finally replace the tub. Perhaps the surround and floor as well. Next project was the extensions for the dining table, they gave me a bit of grief once I got to the polyurethane but I won that battle. Now on to the chairs.......but first. I saw the small foldable wooden chair on the deck and it seemed like a small project, It sanded down fairly easy, I used a dark walnut stain and the spar urethane for finishing the wood, I took the fabric off of it and sprayed it with bleach and washed in the washer and hung it to dry, It came fairly clean and got it all back together in about a week time. I sanded down the cabinet I am using for my pots and potting materials, my plan is to stain and put an outdoor finish on it and tile the top. I had alot of sanding to do as it was pretty weather beaten. I used cherry finish on it and finished the grouting on the tile today!! Going to put one more coat of the spar urethane for outdoor items on the front doors. I finished this pretty much today!!!! yea for me. My newest project is the master bedroom door, It had never been finished so sanding it was real easy. I then used sanding sealer or pretreater for wood before staining. Brad also cut a bit off the bottom and fixed a small blemish toward the bottom corner. We bought new door knob for this door also and new hinges since the ones removed were a shiny gold finish. I stained the door last night and tomorrow I will put the polyurethane on it. I used cherry finish once more and should have this completed and hung by this weekend. We had to order a new heater for our waterbed before fall as it is getting chilly to sleep on it. It arrived yesterday and Brad had the bed 90percent drained when I got home from work. So I got to clean up all the framing and the mattress and liner, vacuum it out and then Brad installed the new heater. We filled the mattress back up and it is already heating well today. I am going to sand and stain the master bedroom doorway this weekend and then on to another door.......... MOST of the above woodwork was done from mid July through today. We went camping at Waldport area a couple of weekends ago and stayed at the KOA there. Nice time, just a bit of rain. Will write more next week. Anna

February 15, 2010 wow, two weeks have went by......

I sure did not mean to wait so long to blog.......wow......Well, I could not read all of the book Winter in Kabul, too depressing, missed book club today Brad had colonoscopy scheduled. I would have liked to hear what otheres views were on the book. I finished Brads purple scarf. really long....... I finished the prayer shawl I started just two weeks ago.....I am working on another prayer shawl, I am also working on a carry bag with crochet cotton, I want to learn to knit socks, I found a great site to help me out, http://knitting.about.com/. I will keep you updated on this project. I am reading Knit the Season and almost finished with the audio book, Water for elephants. Brad had his colonoscopy today and all went well. We went to eat at the chinese buffet for lunch. He starts working at Evans tomorrow morning early. So early to bed soon.........

Sunday January 24,2010 new year and what?

I did start the knitting practice I wanted to do, I am over halfway on knitting a scarf with two different yarns. One yarn is regular 2ply and the other is the special feathery yarn, it looks beautiful and it is RED.
I finished the book, Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher, wonderful. I will look up more of her books in the future. The book was a selection in the book club at church, we just had a meeting this past Monday. I heard enough good things to persevere and finish the book. It is based in Persia(Iran) in the time of Jesus birth, and it is really a travel of strife and adventure for a girl and her brother. A happy ending though. I wanted also to start the next book in the club roster for 2010 but it has not come in yet at the library, soon though. I did start reading the book The Vanishing Scarecrow by Phyllis Whitney but found I have already read this one, though enjoyable, I passed it by for the book Mystery of the Angry Idol by Phyllis Whitney.
I also cleaned out the linen closet and the master bedroom closet and dresser and took some items to Salvation Army that I will never miss. The living room is next and Brad wants to start on the basement. We are also going to ride bicycles today, starting a new year of exercise and adventure.
I picked up the next 3 books in the book club roster fro the requests I had at the library. Here they are:
The Island by Victoria Hislop
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Three Women by Marge Piercy
They are read after Winter in Kabul, which should come into the library for me this week. Exciting book adventures.
I also finished the third prayer shawl, now have to stop and put on edge or fringe to finish the two I have here before donating them to church.
Last night we had a vote at our union 555 gathering and they have a proposed contract that is good but not great, I don't want to strike but wish there were less compromises to be made, biggest is our new expense for healthcare, approx 15.00 a week for families. More to budget, sad. I just went to our union 555 website and it shows the vote was in favor of the new contract so it will be sent to Kroger for approval.
I have vacuuming and general cleaning the next two days, will probably clean carpet also. I am gonna finish the scarf, and start one for Brad without the fur yarn. I also need to make some calls today and tomorrow to mom and kids. Until later.

Thursday, Jan 14,2010 reading watching movies oh yeah!

Well I think I am deciding to post about twice a week now. Busy Busy. Finished the Secret of the Spotted Shell last night, started on Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Hatcher.. Watched movie, "Jinxed" with Bette Midler, so funny!!! Had a Jerry Lewis Marathon last weekend when I was ill. Watched Cinderfella, Nutty Professor, Livin it Up, Hollywood or Bust,You're never too Young, Artists and Models,Pardners,The Delicate Delinquent, Funny Bones(did not like this one). Also watched "Daddy" a danielle steele book movie. Bowling tonight, am crocheting third prayer shawl, gonna practice knitting maybe tonight also before bed.

Friday, Jan 8 2010, new year, what about it?

Okay, almost the weekend, hooray. The book I requested is available now at the library and I am excited. Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher, it is being read in my reading group, so I will tackle that one by this weekend. It is supposed to be a quick read so I hope so. Today I will stop at the library!! It has been so windy and cool here we have not walked for a few days, will have to see if we can do it tonight or I will use the stepping on wii fit. Had bowling last night, games were 157,134,139, not bad after 3 weeks off. We also got two more bowlers for a full team for us. Yeah, only thing our nights will end around 9:30pm now. oh well, it will be worth it. Off to work, will write more later. Came home freezing and went to bed, gonna shake this virus!!!

January,2010,,,,,,,hhhmmmmm

Well started my new book, actually an old book by author phyllis a whitney, the book is called Secret of the Spotted Shell, 1974. I started another load of laundry, another blanket off the bed. I decided I am going to teach myself how to knit socks, there are videos on youtube I am going to use, and also work on my UFO's, unfinished projects. I put away almost all of the Christmas items last night, one tote to go and they are breakables that have boxes in the basement.

Monday,jan 4,2010 thinking about things to do.

okay finished the book candy cane murder by joanne fluke, love her recipes!!! Starting another book tomorrow, will keep you posted which one. I am going to make a list of my ufo's this weekend and start finishing them up, all my needlework ones for sure. I need to start on photos also, scanner is waiting for me. I did one load of laundry today, one blanket off of bed. I need to give Buster a bath, perhaps Friday, bowling resumes Thursday, I can't wait. We are still doing the Jerry Lewis movies, no time tonight for one. Talked to my mom tonight, bad weather moving in again there.Spaghetti and burritos with coleslaw for supper. Made way too much spaghetti, will be eating it for days, LOL

Sunday,,,,,,,,,,,,yeehah, januaray 3,2010

Yep, Sunday a day of REST. I have been fairly lazy this morning, my body is fighting a UTI for sure. I am dosing on Cranberry Fruit capsules and drinking lots of water, Brad and I are going to Zoolights tonight. I want to feel better. I guess I haven't been taking good enough care of myself, bad me. I am gonna finish my book today, on to another one tomorrow for sure. will write more later.The twelve desserts of Christmas by Joanne Fluke was the books name.

saturday,jan 2nd,2010

work work work, today is my FRIDAY, finally, lonnnnnnnggggg week. Today I talked to Brian and Andrew by phone. Brian will be running late after his flight on Monday so is letting Sarah pick up Frankie tonight, will be about midnight we think. I will definitely take a nap to do that. Have her all packed up and just enjoying the last hours with her, she is a Joy with a capital J.
Andrew said they had went to Target and JC Penneys with gift cards they got for Christmas, and got some good deals for the babies room. They also registered at Burlington Coat Factory for expectant parents. Interesting, I will have to go to our nearest one and check it out. They had a good Christmas in Florida and Rascal was very happy to see them return home. He was also talking about playing Mario Cart online and about sending codes to do that, will check that out too. Brad went to Walmart to get a couple of things and I watched Kutlass on dvd, very good Christian group from Portland.
Brian said he will take a weekend in a couple of weeks to come visit and to get his plants and other things left.
Brad also got his computer formatted and is up and running again. Hoorah for Brad.

work work work Happy New Year 2010!!

Well today was another super busy day at work@@. Happy New Year to all, we are starting a regular exercise routine around here, Brad is getting tested for allergies. Brian will be home in a few days to pick up Frankie, we will all miss her terribly!! I will be making rosettes this weekend for sure, and gonna try out a new soup recipe also.
Last night Dec 31st was our 9th anniversary we went out to Ding Cheongs to eat then came home and watched " You're never too Young" with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Wednesday night, we watched, Livin' It Up with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Tonight we will watch Artists and Models with Dean Marting and Jerry Lewis, we will also have leftovers from Chinese last night.
I will be glad when tomorrow is over at work, it was productive but busier than I imagined it would be for New Years Day.