::The Gift::

When last we gathered here together to speak of all things technical and the issues I'd been having. 
I told you of a little surprise I'd been gifted

Something I never thought I'd want. Turns out... I was wrong. No. it's not SUPER SPECTACULAR CROCHET SKILLS IN ALL THINGS GREEN... 

It's what's IN-SIIIIIIDE. :) 

:: Tweaking My Connection ::

Let's face it. 

You... my fans  ...ehem, faithful readers- don't come here to see beautiful and wonderful pictures. 

We all know this. 

Sometimes... you don't even come here to read my lengthy rants. 

You just come here to catch up like an old friend...just to see what I'm up to ...and If I'm up to NO GOOD. 

My friends like keeping tabs on me. :) that makes me smile. BIG!

I told you about my recent updates on my computer. It turns out. All that technology, though nice as it is...can't help me get my pictures off my camera. 

This is my problem...well, part of it. 

Had my printer not went KA-POOT... I could just use an SD reader. 

Such is life. 

(THE AFORESAID PICTURE WAS TAKEN WITH The Honey's smart phone!)

For all my friends out there...TINK-TINK-TINK- (that's me tapping on the monitor) I'm letting you know I'm still here and I'm tweaking my digital connection! 

Thanks for stopping by and checking on me today! 

Non-Sequitur  Photo to follow: 

Squirrel--at my sis-in laws house. 

CLH

Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee. 

Because he trusts in Thee. 

Isaiah 26:3

:: Being Connected ::

I have had this computer for such a long time. In fact... it's not the same computer it was when I bought it! 

Oh,the outside is the same ol' green machine.(you know I love green) But the insides have been replaced, upgraded, improved-- ripped out and replaced again.

As my brother (and PC- Go- to- Guy) is fond of quoting 

...and they used to say on the old 'Six Million Dollar Man ' series... 

(old computer picture...nothing much has changed on the outside) 

 Gentlemen, we can rebuild him  IT. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man  COMPUTER. Steve Austin THE GREEN MACHINE will be that man COMPUTER. Better than he IT was before. Better, stronger, faster. 

My brother came out today and did just that...AND NOW... It's better, stronger and faster. 

YES! while the world of personal computers are experiencing what is WINDOWS 8...I am happy and OH SO GRATEFUL sitting here, typing away on my faithful (and green) computer with newly installed Windows 7 ultimate! 

(there was an added bonus too-- he hooked up a wireless router for me!) 

That is going to make a lot of people happy that come here to visit (ie: my kids! and more importantly THE HONEY) 

Apparently, if you have a smart phone, you can get on the internet with Wi-fi and not use your data plan and SAVE MONEY...WHO KNEW? 

But even more so than that... I was glad to get to spend time with my brother...while he worked his magic on MY PC! 

Of course we had to make a run to town for some computer gear... and some Cheeseburgers-- because all that rebuilding a BETTER, STRONGER, FASTER computer makes a person hungry! 

I'll be spending the next few weeks I'm sure...learning the ins and outs of this new system! 

linking here: 

MHC

** Thanks for the mention and hi-light Claudia! :) 

SSS

*************Thinking about what someone else said on their blog-- regarding the recent events on the East Coast...So many are doing without right now. These are some of my thoughts. 

I don't want to take anything or ANYONE for granted. I don't want to be ungrateful for one breath taking moment. I certainly don't want to be petty. While happy to have my computer--my time with my family today and BEING CONNECTED to them was AND IS what was cherished the most. ***************

Please remember to pray for those out East who have lost so much. 

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; 

His loving kindness is everlasting. 

~Psalm 107:1

:: THREE ::

**edited to say:

 

Thanks Gail! 

Somewhere in the distant past... I was given 3 shutters. 

3 different sized, different styled...shutters. 

Display shutters...

that my son in law, who works for a Solar Screen company gave to me

-- these were a floor model display, heading for the dumpster. 

I knew sooner or later...MUCH, MUCH LATER... I'd come up with a use for them. 

I've racked my brains trying to figure out what to do with them. 

Finally about a month ago... I took the ACTUAL SHUTTERS off the frames and painted them. 

Still not knowing what I'd do with them. 

That project came and went ...

STILL NOTHING. 

So....now... I have 3 frames (that used to have shutters attached to them) 

and 3 shutters... painted what color? ....GUESS! 

GREEN! 

so that? That is a picture of  a green shutter popped back into the original frame...

 so that YOU can appreciate what I'm about to show you.

(you can see some brackets in there and yes...NOW they are all attached to each other. 

That ... is the loveliness of PALLET WOOD(also donated by son in law)

...made into a table top...today! By me :) 

See? isn't it lovely?

 Painted All WHITE with a touch of rustic pallet wood and wire metal goodness. 

Perfect. 

So RECAP: 

• 3 frames mounted together ...with 
• 3 tiers of drawer glides added to the inside...
• AND 3 AWESOME (YES THREE!) WIRE BASKET ORGANIZER/ DRAWERS! 

It's going in my utility room. To hold soap, scrub brushes, iron, vacuum bags, etc. 

I KNOW...  I still have 3 UN-USED shutters to deal with. 

No. I have no idea for what. But the frames are put to good use...

wouldn't you say? 

I'm link here: 

FJI-SNS 161
HAND BUILT FURNITURE -sns 

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His loving kindness is everlasting. 

~Psalm 107:1

::Cozying Up the Covers::

Over the summer- we re-arranged our bedroom after 16 years of having the bed in the same spot. But with that new arrangement...One little tweak...

I reaped tons of benefits. 

The first and most important... no more aching back. 

I can sleep so comfortably now. 

Our little farmhouse at some time in its history was added onto...and our bedroom has a slight 

(EVER SO SLIGHT) slope. But my back Knew it. 

With the summer days-- my bed was dressed with a summery and cheerful ensemble... the $5 quilt! 

Full of color. But a little thin. 

With the cooler temps that came this weekend... I only added a couple of blankets to help us through the cold snap. But knew it was getting to be that time of year when something warmer and bit heavier was needed for the bed. 

It even looks warmer. 

Yesterday-- laundry day-- I washed the sheets and re made the bed with the winter bedding. 

Tucked a wool blanket across the foot of the bed and removed and added pillows. 

While in the laundry room-- I found this little sample of TIDE w/ Febreeze ® 

and I that's what I washed my sheet with...big mistake. 

I expected to crawl into my bed last night...made comfy and cozy for winter... with crisp clean sheets that had been lined dried for freshness... and fall fast asleep.  

But no.  This laundry soap...kept me up for what seemed to be THE.LONGEST.NIGHT. OF. MY.LIFE! I think I'll stick to my no fragrance, no dyes, no extra YUCK...with my homemade laundry soap, thank you very much! 

...at least with that I don't wake up sneezing in the morning! 

(and continue to sleep so comfortably) Where sleep is key! 

JOINING IN HERE: 

CLH

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD for he is good; His loving kindness is everlasting. 

~Psalm 107:1 

 

::RED FROG ::

MHC

I thought I'd show you this little guy. 

I got him from my Mother in-laws home...he had belonged to my Father in-law. I believe he came as a florist delivery, maybe? He's a hollow vase-- perfect for an Ivy. Though, I've never seen him adorned with an Ivy. 

At one time this little guy sat on his desk...and then was moved to the spare bathroom--Doesn't he look cute, sitting there relaxing? 

He doesn't have a name-- I just call him 'RED FROG' 

I like him because he is different. He's Red. He looks content. I'm sure he's old...but not sure how old... from the 70's, maybe older?  He sits in the hutch; that I received last year from my Dad, around my birthday. If you want, you can read about it here: 

My Furniture is Here

Tour De Hutch 

Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusts in Thee.   ~Isaiah 26:3

:: A New UNDERdevelopement ::

We were out today. Came home, went to check on the Girls (and George)and collect eggs. 

Found this. 

Never EVER seen this in all my days (365 + )

of owning chickens. 

THIS. IS. A. NEW. ONE. 

A Soft Shelled Egg. 

Reading up on 'soft shelled eggs'. How to 'treat' the Hen that laid. Could be a problem as there are NO outward signs of illness.  I guess I'll treat the whole flock? 

Any suggestions from the Chicken Wranglers that read my blog? 

Anyone? 

Bueller...Bueller... Bueller? 

***********************

Inquiring here: deborah jean's DANDELION HOUSE

Trust in the LORD with all thy heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

 

:: My Blog Neighbor and ...Prayers for The Honey::

I'm getting lots of inspiration in the organizing and cleaning department lately.  From here.


Maybe you've heard of my friend Nony

she's been nominated for 1 of Top 25 Home Management Moms - 2012 

please visit her blog  and click on this little button  (not here...at her blog) You'll have to scroll down to the bottom of her post ...and vote for her! 

I just love reading her stuff and I just found out ...she is a DFW girl!  So we're practically neighbors! ...and she's HILARIOUS! 

*******************
on another note:  Asking prayers for The Honey...he is having a procedure today. They are running some tests to determine if he has some LIVER problems. We're driving a couple of hours to the Central V.A. and asking my prayer warrior friends to please be praying for him.  Thank you so much. 

 

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  ~Philipppians 4:23

 

::Perpetual TWEAK MODE::

"Slow and steady wins the race..." 
That is THE PACE with which I  work ...now if I could just win. 

I've had lots of 'hits' on my Home IN PROGRESS Tour button lately. It got me thinking about some unfinished rooms in my home. I decided I need to get a move on and get some of these rooms finished. It's time. 

You all know how I move at a slow pace around here with projects. I am my own worst enemy when it comes to projects. I try to stay on task. But sometimes the obvious thing to do is just move on and come back to it later. (that is the perfectionist in me! 'it will never be perfect, so...')

All month long there have been bloggers all over the place posting about their 31 days of....(fill in the blank) projects. This is not one of those 31 DAYS set ups-
 no, I can't keep up.  Now... this is not to say  I just won't do it...or use that as a lame excuse. Nope. I can't commit to a 31 DAY BLOGGING SCHEDULE...or follow one of those who have. 

I just can't keep up. 

But I have been reading Donna's blog FJI and she has been taking it slow and steady writing about 'Junk that Matters' 

...she got a late start, then she became ill... but she is still plugging along. I appreciate her raw honesty so much! You gotta love that Gal... she blogs with heart, I tell ya! 

Anyway-- she posted about 'gutting her office'.  
This I CAN KEEP UP WITH. 
I was inspired. 

No. This is not Donna's office-- even at it's messiest her office is still pretty. :) 
Nope. This is mine.  I have to own up to this mess. 

I'm following her lead and I'm working in my 'Wonder Room'...cause it seriously needs it. It is one of 3 ...YES! THREE!!! rooms in my home right now that needs a serious GUTTING!  So why not get after it,right? 
I know it is already the middle of the month. But that's ok.  I just gotta do it; 
because OH MAN!  it's bad ...and it's making me crazy. 

So... That is what it has looked like; off and on for a  year. Nothing has moved much...only the clutter gets shuffled around every so often. I didn't snap a BEFORE picture of it today...but I think you get the jist of it. It may have been worse.  
Yes! ...worse. I know.  SHAME... 
Claudia-- you asked if anybody else has a problem with paper. 
There is your answer. 

I have other things in this room that are bad...bad...bad, I tell you. Projects un-finished. So This is my first SPACE-PROJECT; on a long list of SPACES  and I hope to work on it at lightning speed.

source

 I want to get to at least one more room done before the end of the year. Get at least two of them down and out of the way. 

It's a start...and yes-- the space behind that little door is empty too. I just didn't shoot it with door open.  

I'm joining up with Brenda @ CLH.... because I'm in a PERPETUAL TWEAK MODE! 


hope to see you soon with some follow up on this! 

Oh give thank to the LORD for He is good; His loving kindness is everlasting. ~Psalm 107:1 

 

:: A Bit of Earth-- and Fire Safety Month::

MHC

I love this view of our property. It's the N.W. corner ...and it looks so dreamy and bucolic to me... I love walking our property it is one of my favorite places on earth. Especially this little patch of land. 

One of my favorite things...A beautiful Country Setting. 

"Please sir, might I have a bit of earth?" ~the secret garden

That is how I feel when I walk this patch of land...past the Bois D'arc tree and the horse apples all over the ground; down the fence line, under the trees that The Honey has trimmed to optimum height for mowing. You can smell the air and it smells so rich after the hay has been mowed , the earth has been tilled; and the sky has opened up recently, pouring out the rain. Pure delight. 

We've been under a burn ban, until recently. 

This past weekend I called the County to find out if it were still in effect... 

Sometimes. The conversations I have with civil servants ... just make me laugh. 

Ok... Let me just say...if I were going to break the law; first of all, I would not call first and find out if what I was about to do was illegal.  I wouldn't.  People who burn illegally...don't call first. They just don't. 

 So my phone call: 

Dispatcher: "K.County Sheriff's Dept.  How can I help you?"

ME:  "Uh, yes ma'am, are we still under a burn ban?" 

Dispatcher:  "No, ma'am we're not. Are you in K.County?" 

ME: (eyes crossing) "Yes, ma'am." 

Dispatcher: "Are you going to burn today?" 

ME: "Uh, well, we were discussing it. But needed to find out for sure if we could or not. Do I need to call you back and let you know? 

"Dispatcher: " (chuckle) Uh, Yeah." 

(we didn't actually burn until notifying the authorities)

My second phone call: 

Dispatcher: "K.County Sheriff's Dept.  How can I help you?"
ME:  "Yes, I called just a little bit ago... I'm calling back to let you know we're going to be burning."
Dispatcher: "Name?"
ME:  " Patricia... " 
Dispatcher: 'Phone no.?"
ME:  " 555-...." 
Dispatcher: "Address?" 
ME:  " insert my address here"
Dispatcher: "What are going to be burning?" 
ME: (eyes crossing...Again) "uh, brush."  ( I thought of all the things I could be burning... tires, railroad ties, furniture...Really? who is going to tell you that?!) 
Dispatcher: "Do you have water near by?"
ME: (ironically in a very dry voice) "yes." 
Dispatcher: "Okay... Keep an eye on it." 
(she probably thought i should keep my crossed -eyes on it.)

(notice the blue bucket)

REALLY?!  ...AM I going to light it and go out for dinner?  Seriously...She has to be a mom. Otherwise, why would she have said such a thing?  ...keep.an.eye.on.it. ???... 

Now, lest you think I'm just on the bucket brigade...  We had a hose. 

Remember: 

October is National Fire Safety Month... 

• Check your smoke alarms for proper function. TEST THEM!
• Replace the batteries. 
• Make sure you have a good working fire extinguisher for the kitchen. ~~Many places, our local ACE Hardware, currently have batteries, smoke alarms and extinguishers on sale this month.

If you don't have these things...or don't know how to check them. 

• You can contact your local Fire Department and they can either send a Volunteer to your home; or direct you on who to call. 

Also the 'Area Aging' will come to your home and install smoke detectors, check your batteries and extinguishers to make sure they are in good working order. 

• It is also a good idea, for your family, especially if you have small children to practice FIRE DRILLS and have an ESCAPE PLAN in place. 

All kidding aside... BE SAFE. IF YOU MUST BURN... 'KEEP AN EYE ON IT.' 

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ~Philippians 4:23