Mosquitos Suck!

And they make me itch.

We've been having a problem with them, we have been unable to figure out where they are coming from but we knew it was close by. Today, I found them.

They are in the rain barrel. I was getting water out of it, and there were lots of wrigglers coming out with the water. So Otter and I went to the hardware store and bought Mosquito Dunks. The dunks are basically a ring of pesticide granules. They float in the water and dissolve, which kills the larvae but won't do anything about the already hatched ones. When Bill opened up the barrel to drop the dunk in, a bunch of them came flying out. We swatted a few of them, then he closed it back up. We figure that there will still be some that hatch, but the dunk will start working and we won't have to deal with them too much longer. The dunks last about 30 days, but we'll probably be well past skeeter season by then. But next year, when spring comes around and we are cleaning out the rain barrel to fill up again, we're going to put a dunk in it before it even gets used. Then we'll put a new one in every 30 days.

In the meantime, we still have to deal with them. I brought at least one inside with me, it was on my arm. Now it's squished. But I'm itchy.

Froggy, if you ever get around to installing the gutters so you can put your rain barrel in - I strongly recommend Mosquito Dunks! They are safe for plants, which is what we use the rain barrel water for.

I have a serious prayer request. One of Bill's cousin's son has swine flu. I would like to ask anyone who can to pray for him, and also for his parents.

Otter and I are planning on getting our (regular) flu shots next week on Friday. The organization that we usually get them from starts next Tuesday, but because I usually have a reaction and feel cruddy for a few hours I prefer to get mine on Friday so that I can have the next day to rest if I still feel bad. I called our doctor, but she only does hers on Tuesdays. Then I called a walk-in clinic and they said that they only give shots to age 18 and over. Otter's 17 and has asthma, but apparently she would still need to be 18. So we are going to go back to our original plan and get them next Friday. Then we're going to get ice cream, since you have to get ice cream when you get a shot, and then probably stop at Subway to get dinner to bring home. By the way Froggy, the ice cream will most likely be in the form of a pie. Strawberry Cheesecake, if we can find it. Do I need to tell you where it will come from? :)

Just Random Stuff Today

Toadly seems to be very happy with the house pictures. I haven't mailed it to you yet Bro - I can't find a box! But since Froggy and I have another plan hatched, I might wait for just a bit. (Insert manaical laughter here).

Bugs! Lots of them lately.

This little guy was at the rent house the other day, I took a picture of it for Otter because she is her mother's daughter, after all! She liked the picture, incidentally. I don't think I've ever seen a grasshopper like this one. He was pretty big, too. About 3" long and very big legs.

This is actually a praying mantis, but the pictures aren't very clear. The camera battery was about to die, but he was moving quickly and I didn't think I'd have time to go find new batteries and change them. He was on the fence outside the kitchen window at home.


Still on the fence, I went outside of the yard to take the picture and the angle makes it look like the satellite dish is right there but it really isn't.



This creature is a cocoon, the fuzzy thing beside it is the remains of a fuzzy moth caterpillar we've been seeing bunches of lately. I discovered them when we were mowing the last this afternoon and called Otter to see them. Like I said before, she is her mother's daughter...

I just had the camera too close here, but it's the same cocoon and partially eaten moth.

The lawn mower finally died. Bill was trying to start it yesterday and it simply would not start. It almost started the first time he pulled the start rope, but then it wouldn't even almost start. So we went to Lowe's and bought another one. We were hoping to wait until next spring, because we didn't want to lose a lot of the warranty period with it just sitting over the winter. But we couldn't wait, so we faced reality and got another one. The other reason we wanted to wait is that there really are not a lot of lawn mowers available at the end of the summer. But Bill was able to find one for not too much $$ which is always good. By the time we got it home and he assembled it, it was too late so we used it tonight. And that's when we decided that we should have replaced the old one a lot sooner! (One of the benefits of having an Engineer for a spouse is that "some assembly required" is not a scary phrase.)

It was in the mid-40's last night. Time to get the blankets out! We are still using the fan in our room, but probably not for much longer. Then it will be time to get the humidifiers going. Winter's on the way, and possibly very soon.

Maggie Moo Monday!

Hi! Hi! Hi! It's mee, Maggie! Hi! Hi! Hi!

My mommm and her mommm played a mean trick on mee the otherrr day. They told us wee could go for a riiiide. Wee like riiides. Wee got to go in the carrr. You have to go in the carrr for a riiide. This day, the riiide tooked us to the vvett! I don't like the vvett.

My brotherr Frasier was acting like it didn't botherr himmm, but I think hee was just pretending. Hee acts so brave, but I don't thinnk hee is brave.

The vvett made mee go into a little room, hee made mee leave my mommm and her mommm and my brotherr Frasier all alone. I neeeed to bee there to protect themmm from the vvett. But the vvett tooked mee away and then they did some badd things to my beehind. I was scared, but the vvett tolded mee that it would make mee feel betterr. Then they tooked mee back to my mommm and her mommm and gave me a treat. My brotherr Frasier got a treat, but I was braver than hee was and he didn't have to get anything done to his beehind so I think I deserved the treats more than hee did.

I was realllly gladd when my mommm tooked me outside. Then wee got to go for another riide in the carr. You have to go in the carr to get a riiide. Then wee got to riiide home. I was so happee to bee home! I don't ever want to go back to the vvett, but I think I heard my mommm's mommm say that I might have to go back soon to get that bad thing done to my beehind again. I'd betterr get morre treats!

Chickens, Houses & Family

This is what Froggy & I have been up to. It's a miniature house. There is a story that goes with it, which is where the chickens & family part of the title comes in.

There is a set of minature houses called Liberty Falls. It's a whole vilage, there are people, animals and all sorts of things that go with it. Mom and Dad had the set, they started collecting it in the early 1990's when Dillards stores introduced it. It was very popular at the time. People would line up at the doors of the store before it opened for the day, just to make sure they got their houses. I went with Mom and Dad a couple of times, it got pretty intense! These people were serious about their collection.

When we lost Mom, her collection was split between me, Froggy and Toadly. Well, technically it wasn't me - Otter got Mom's collection and she absolutely loves it. She had it out last Christmas as part of our decor. Froggy, do you leave yours out or is it seasonal?

Toadles has quite an extensive collection, and he has it nicely set up and displayed. But because he is who he is, his collection is shall we say, a little different? For example, I think he has some of his train sets with it or at least close by. Probably also has his lighthouse collection in the same general area.

Toadles announced to us that his Village wasn't complete. It couldn't be complete. It was missing something. Something M.A.J.O.R.

It needed a special house.

One that would be very popular, at least with the male members of Liberty Falls Village.

In short, it needed what our mother would have called a Cathouse. Got it yet? :)

Well, Froggy and I decided that we needed to remedy the situation. So when she was here, we found a L.F. house at a thrift store. Then we borrowed a page from Otter's book and customized it. It has red lights, so Toadles can have his very own Red Light District in his Village. The colors have been changed from what it originally was. The house in particular used to be one of the schools, Bill thought that this was so much fun he got involved and he used his Dremel grinding tool to get the name of the school off of the sign. He also made a few color suggestions in the painting.

When Toadles was here in the early summer, I showed him what Froggy and I were making for him. He thought it was perfect, and he wanted to name it after a house in a certain movie about a special house in Texas. So, in honor of the name choice, the reborn L.F. house has chickens on the roof. Chicks, specifically. They are on the roof so that any low-flying planes can find it and won't have to get lost - with Toadles, getting lost is a frequent occurance, so we thought that his special L.F. house needed a landmark - hence the stickers on the roof! I was going to paint the name on the sign, but it was just too small. But I thought that chicks would be appropriate, considering...

So, Toadles, in a few days your very own Chicken Ranch will be arriving in your mailbox! And please ask Mrs. Toadles to forgive us for this one, but we just could not resist. :)

Toadles, you will have to send us pictures of your Village once you've figured out where the Chicken Ranch fits. I'm sure you'll find a place!

It's Frasier Friday!

Woof. Frasier here. I haven't talked to yuu in a lonnng time. It's been a busy time.

My mommm played a mean trick on mee and my little sisterrr today. Mommm told me I could go for a riiide. I like to go for a riiide. But the riiide took uss to the vett! But I'm a gooood boy so I didn't try to stay away like Maggiee did. Maggiee tried to stay out of the dooorrr at the vett, but her mommm pushed her in the dooorrr so shee had to go.

It wasn't bad, I got two shhotts but then the vett gave mee a treat. It was a good treat. He gave mee two treats! Because I'm so special. He gave Maggie two treats, but I don't think shee deserved another one. But I did. Maybe he gave her two so that she wouldn't feel jealous of me?

Shee had to get two shots and then the vett took her out of the roooom and I think they did something mean to her behind. The vett said she was impacted, but I don't know what that means. But her behind doesn't smell so bad now and she's not draggging it anymore. She always has to get whatever they do to her behind. I think that's why she doesn't want to go in the dooorr.

Or maybe shee's just silly. But I'm not silly. My mommm says I'm her special boy. My mommm understands that I'm Frasier and that I should be spoiled more.

Woof!

All Done!

It's taken us months, but Otter and I finally got out to the garage and reorganized our craft areas. Several months back, like in early spring or thereabouts, Bill switched out my plastic shelving unit that was beside my work bench for a metal one that he had up in the attic. The plastic was lighter, so he wanted to use it in the attic instead of the metal frame/wooden shelf unit that was up there. Otter and I took everything off the plastic shelf and it was all over the garage. Along with all my planting stuff and bird feeders, because Bill also took out two or three other shelf units that where in the garage so I had to find a home for my other, non-craft stuff. So far, so good.

Then our a/c unit messed up, and Bill wasn't sure if it was the inside unit or the outside unit. He thought it was the inside unit. Which meant that I had to move all my still unorganized and on the floor craft stuff in a hurry, because it all happened at the same time. So we literally threw some of the craft stuff on the new shelves, all over my work bench and Otter's desk she uses and in lots of other random spots. (The a/c turned out to be a minor part on the outside unit, so the mass chaotic stuff in the garage was totally unnecessary).

Then the weather got too warm to even think about doing any serious work in the garage. So it all sat where it was parked. Now that it's officially Fall (as of 4:18 p.m. today), and now that it's nice & cool out there, I decided that it was time to get busy. Otter was not amused! Tough, kiddo. :) But since some of it was her stuff, and she uses my work bench along with my paints, glue, glue gun, paint brushes, etc., I didn't feel a bit sorry for her having to do actual work!

We took everything off the shelves, bench, desk, floor, chairs, etc. And then we put it all back on the shelves. It's organized, I can find things now and I have a lot more room than my old shelves had. (FutureJediMom, you can tell Elliegant that I found the crayons!).

And I realized that I have a boatload of bird feeders. I'll probably clean them out, at least some of them are hummingbird feeders that I don't want to use any more. I've been slowly getting glass ones because glass is a whole lot easier to clean than plastic. But I didn't realize that while I was getting new, glass ones - I hadn't gotten rid of the plastic ones. I think I'm going to clean the plastic ones up a little, then see if they are donateable (is that a word?) and take them to Goodwill. Along with a few other things we found out there.

Along with the bird feeders, my plant supplies are also on the shelf. But not too much to clean out there, I did manage to get that at least cleaned out in the spring.

Now I have room to craft, I just need to find time. Maybe Saturday! When I'm not crocheting, that is.

Bill's Done It Again!

He's got an ouchie. This time, it's his back. And it's work-related. And then he told me I could post this!

He came home on Friday complaining that his back was really hurting. He said it had been bothering him most of the day, not from any one time in particular but just hurting. Bad. Of course, he didn't report it to anybody. That would be logical, after all, and this is Billyboy we're dealing with here!

He spent most of the weekend in obvious pain. We had to go to the rent house but he didn't do too much, he just walked behind the mower very slowly. There was no lifting involved, I made sure of that.

So yesterday morning, when he was still in a considerable amount of pain, he finally decided to listen to me. After all, I do have experience with a back injury and I also have quite a bit of experience handling insurance/comp claims from a previous job. I guess I got through to him, because he went to work yesterday and told his boss. Who was extremely understanding and immediately sent Bill to the doctor. The diagnosis is muscle strain, which is what we thought, and he's got Happy Pills to take. He has an anti-inflammatory, a pain pill and a muscle relaxer. He's on regular duty, he just has to be careful.

He took his pills when he got home last night, and he spent most of the evening being grouchy! And sleepy.

He's back to work this morning, he took his anti-inflammatory and also took one with him to take after lunch. He's not supposed to take the pain pill or muscle relaxer when he might be driving or around machinery so they have to wait until he gets home.

At least this adventure didn't involve blood or stitches.

Some Sunday Stuff and Misc. Ramblings

First things first, Froggy this is for you!

I've been meaning to post that picture for ages but I kept forgetting. I think it was from Cute Overload. Funny site.

OK. Enough with the turtle stuff for Froggy. For the moment, anyway.

I'm not sure, but I think the hummingbirds have all gone south for the winter. I haven't seen one in days. I still have feeders out, but I think I'm going to take two of the three down. I'll leave one up for a while, because sometimes they stop on the way south for a pitstop. But it's going to be time very soon to get out my seed & suet feeders.

The bluebonnet that came up in the whiskey barrel is going strong. And it's not alone, there are about 10 plants coming up. I hope that they get to the blooming stage before we get our first freeze. But even if they don't, it's still really nice to know that they are there. But I am concerned that if they have come up now we might not have any more in the spring since they are naturalized now.

We went to the rent house this morning and mowed. I think we are going to have to replace the lawn mower sooner than we wanted to. It's been acting like it was on the verge of breaking beyond help for a while, Bill's been babying it along with the intention of replacing it next spring. But I'm not sure if it's going to make it that long! It smokes, sounds funny, quits a lot and is hard to start. At one point today, Bill thought it had finally quit but then he was able to get it started. We bought it 5 years ago and it's been used a lot, both at home and when we've had to mow at the rent house. And with all the rain we've had lately, the grass is growing fast & tall in short periods of time. We did look at Lowe's the other day when we had to go buy a new blade, and I think we're going to (try to) go with our original plan of replacing the mower next year. Along with the pool!

Otter got to stay home today. She did laundry and dishes for me, so she probably would have preferred going to the rent house to sweep. Such a mean mother, I make her do chores! :)

Fall doesn't officially start until next week, I think on Tuesday. We've had mild weather lately and it's been really nice, between rain storms that is! But tomorrow, Monday, is supposed to be in the mid-80's and we have a chance of SLS's. (Spring Like Storms). Tuesday is supposed to be in the same general temperature range but then it's back to 70's for the rest of the week. We've been seeing trees start to turn for a few weeks now, I'm wondering what kind of winter we are facing and how early it's going to hit. We've gotten quite a bit of firewood but not enough yet. Bill got some, but then the rent house took priority so he put firewood on the back burner. No that wasn't a deliberate pun, Toadly! Anyway, I think he's going to see about getting more firewood soon. We also have to get the fireplace & chimney checked, it's been 2 years and we're going to get the dryer vent cleaned out while we're at it. We have not had time to do anything else towards getting the roof at home replaced, but we'll get back on that soon. It does need to be taken care of, we just haven't had time.

Now, I think I'm going to go play with a certain beagle who is snoozing on the floor beside my chair. She's been following Otter around for a while, but now I guess it's my turn to be graced with her beagle self!

It's Thursday not Wednesday but Nearly Friday

I'm title-challenged tonight, ok? Froggy, you got any suggestions on titles? Sometimes you come up with some good ones.

We actually managed to mow! It quit sprinking today so we got busy. Seems like everyone else in the neighborhood had the same idea at the same time. But we got a later start, we had to go to Lowe's to get another blade for the lawn mower. We only did the back yard, we'll get the front yard as soon as Bill gets home tomorrow. We should have enough time to get it done before sunset, if we get right on it. In the meantime, my feet hurt!

Otter has the day off from school tomorrow. I think it's a teacher workday, I can't remember. She's going to work with me, we'll hit the library at lunch and then after work we're going by to see Miss Dorothy - my 92 year old boss's delightful wife. She's the precious lady who had the broken hip in the spring. She's doing great, but Otter hasn't gotten to see her since before school started and they are both driving me nuts about getting to visit!

Sunday will find us back at the rent house. We're pretty much done, but it's been two weeks since Bill's mowed over there (is there no end to lawn mowing?) and I think that Otter and I are going to vacuum the bedroom and swiffer the rest of the house. We'll probably be done at that point, I don't think there is anything else to be done right now.

I've been paying attention to politics, and I have to say this: Jimmy Carter is an absolute IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I'll sign off on that note.

Blue & Green Day

Froggy & Toadles, got yours? We're going to eat ours after dinner.

Today would have been our Dad's birthday. If I'm right on my addition, he would have been 90 today. Dad had a huge sweet tooth, and peanut M&M's were about his favorite candy. I think Blues & Greens is what he called them. I'm possibly off on which colors, but that is what we've always called then in his memory. He had a glass pitcher that he kept in the cabinet under the bar at his & Mom's house and all the grandkids knew where they were. He joked about his candy being eaten, but Dad had a good laugh out of it. And he really did love peanut m&m's.

We eat them in his honor/memory every Sept. 15. Otter is allergic to chocolate, but she can have it occasionally and in small doses. She's been avoiding it so that she can have some tonight.

On second thought, we're not waiting for after dinner. After all, Dad wouldn't have!

Some Sunday Stuff! EDITED & UPDATED in Bold at End

First things first: I'm having computer troubles. It's sick. Dr. Bill is fixing it, but I don't know if it will be fixed today or not. So if you leave a comment here and it doesn't show up for a day or so, that's why. Also, if you email me and I don't respond right away, same thing. I don't normally like to let Bill near my computer, it does strange things when he gets through with it. But this time it's necessary. If you need to email me, use Otter or Bill's email address and put my name in the subject. (Otter's email is finally fixed, it turned out to be one little place that should have been clicked and wasn't.)

We're still getting rain very frequently. It's not officially Fall, but I think it really already is. One benefit is that my rain barrel is full. However, the ground is very soft and the dogs don't like to be out in the rain. So they play and go crazy in the living room. Maggie seems to think that the hallway is her personal runway, she seems to really enjoy running up and down the hall. Several times. At full beagle speed. Watch your feet! We have to sit with our feet up on the couch, otherwise they tend to get "runnd over."

Froggy, I keep forgetting to ask you but can you take a couple of pictures of the crochet bag I made you and email them to me? I forgot to take pictures of it. I'm working on a couple of other projects at the moment, I spent quite a bit of yesterday with a hook in one hand and yarn in the other. I got several books from the library the other day, Bill found several pictures he would like me to make. Such as a swim suit. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that! But it was kind of fun when I had to explain how to read the directions to him, as it's like another language and the Engineer needed a translation. That doesn't happen often! :)

I had more, but it's not in my head any longer. Bill is repeating one word over and over and it's distracting me. Which is probably what he intends. The word? Breakfast!

Later: Bill finished with my computer! It seems to be infection free and working fine. There are a few minor differences. But mostly, the problem now is that I forgot to copy down all my stored email addresses because I thought that the address book would transfer to the back up along with all the stored emails. Which didn't happen! I'm going to rebuild it, but I need a few email addresses from people I can't recover. Jan (in Arizona), you are at the top of my list! Froggy, Toadly, FutureJediMom - I have all of yours. I think I have most family members. But as I find ones that I need, I'll indicate on here so keep an eye out.

This is What it's About

It's about hijacked planes hitting buildings. It's about planes flown by muslim extremists. Planes that killed innocent people. Most of them were Americans, but there were people of other nations who were just as important. It's about innocent blood shed. It's about strength and standing up for what is right, standing up to evil.

It's not about volunteering, although I have heard that today should be called "Volunteer Day" and not what it really is.

If we give in to political correctness over this, what hope is there?

And, more importantly, what would that tell the people who died 8 years ago? What would that tell their families, who were left behind by the evil that attacked us?

Volunteer Day? Get real.

And as for the school of thought that tries to make America look like the bad guy, deserving of what happened because the "others" misunderstood us or tries to make us think that we're arrogant or different or evil Americans - do I really have to say what I think about that? Remember those words I don't use? Well, a whole bunch of them would fit here.

We were innocent.

We were attacked by evil.

We are strong.

We didn't give in.

We stood up to bullying of the worst kind.

We triumphed.

We're still here.

We're not going anywhere.

And we will answer for what is done to us.

Let's not forget.

Thursday Ketchup, Books and Prayers

First things first. I have a serious prayer request. Please click on the link. This is a "friend of a friend", not someone I know personally but literally a friend of a friend. This is the worst situation I can imagine, and I can not even begin to imagine how hard it is for the family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/piercephillips

I finally have time to post my August book list. Of course, it's nearly mid-September... September's book list might be pretty slim, I have not had a whole lot of down time since we've been working at/on the rent house. But now maybe Froggy will quit bugging me about the book list! For the moment, anyway. But here goes:

1. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows. Reread x infinity. After we saw the movie of # 6, Otter and I both decided to read the book and see what was different. She actually decided on the entire series. I just was going to read 6 and this book. This one is actually the last one in the series. I think # 6 was on last month's list.

2. Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber. OK.

3. Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman. Alright but not wonderful. Very predictable.

4. American Pie by Michael West. Michael is female in this case. This is NOT connected with the really bad movie from a few years ago. But it also wasn't very good, I got just a few pages into it and decided that it wasn't for me. I don't like to hear certain language and I try not to ever use it, so I don't like to read it either. Although if the author was very good, I might have tried longer.

5. Collectible Glassware 40s-50s-60s by Gene and Cathy Florence. I like the books this couple writes. Lots of information and very detailed pictures. They do a lot of research and it shows.

6. Return to Promise by Debbie Macomber. I read this because I like her Blossom Street series. But I discovered with this book that she also writes romance novels. Have I ever mentioned how much I despise romance novels? Well, I do. This was not very good, even by romance novel standards it was bad.

7. Oddball Texas, a Guide to Some Really Strange Places by Jerome Pohlen. Obvious liberal writer, but it was funny. And I've been to quite a few of the places in this book. I'd recommend it.

8. Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman. Sequel to # 3.

9. The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. I think I'm caught up with this series so far, I thought I was before but then I discovered a few other books. However, I read them out of order. But they have yarn, so they are books I enjoyed. They aren't romance novels, at least!

10. A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber. See # 9. I think this might have been the first book in the series.

11. 20 Wishes by Debbie Macomber. # 9 & 10!

12. Waterfalls & Fountains by Phillips Swindells. Research for something I thought about for the back yard but haven't made up my mind about.

13. Forever Liesel, a Memoir of the Sound of Music by Charmian Carr with Jean A. G. Strauss. Interesting.

14. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone. Part 1. I decided (after reading 6 & 7) that I wanted to re-read the series along with Otter.

15. Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets.

16. Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban.

17. Batman Ego by Paul Grist, Bill Wray and Tim Sale. This was actually one that Otter checked out but of course I had to read it since it's about Batman!

18. The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys - 30 Projects Men Will Love by Drew Emborsky. I don't know about guys loving all the designs, but it had a pattern for socks and I am planning on crocheting at least one pair and then maybe more, if they turn out ok. And maybe even if they don't!

19. The Anastasia Syndrome & Other Stores by Mary Higgins Clark. I think I might have read this many years ago. Typical fluff, but it was quick and not too bad actually.

20. Getting Started: Crochet by Judith L. Swatz. Periodically, I look at beginner books because they sometimes have different patterns. This one didn't have a whole lot, but there were a few.

21. Lion Brand Just Scarves. Nothing I particularly wanted to make here.

22. The Essential Dale Chihuly by William Warmus. Chihuly is the master!

23. Eye Catching Crochet Fashion Accessories You Can Make by Janet Rehfeldt. I think that there was something I liked in this book, it seems like I copied a pattern from it but it's kind of hard to remember!

24. Marvelously Versatile Chain Free Crochet from Annie's Attic. Interesting idea, supposed to be easy and quick but after looking at this book I disagree. But I am always on the lookout for different crochet.

25. Collectible Glassware from the 40s-50s-60s, 8th Edition by Gene & Cathy Florence. More research, still haven't found exactly what I am looking for but I did find a lot in this book.

26. Chihuly Oklahoma City Museum of Art. See # 22 for comment. This one was well done, and since I've seen the exhibit featured I really enjoyed this. Lots and lots and lots of pictures.

27. Pebble Mosaics, 25 Original Step by Step Projects for the Home and Garden by Deborah Schneeben et al. I have been planning a mosaic pattern project for a while, I'm just not quite there yet.

28. 20th Century Glass by Judith Miller. Research.

Considering that August has 31 days and I read 28 books, I think maybe I had a lot of free time. Which was nice while it lasted!

Otter did have something more than an allergy but not quite a cold. She stayed home yesterday. She woke up with hardly any voice and her throat was very sore. No fever, but I sent her back to bed and she stayed there most of the day. She just got up to eat breakfast about 10:00, and then she went back to bed until about 5:00 or thereabouts. She felt much better today so she went to school and she seems to be over the worst of it. It just barely triggered her asthma.

I can't remember what else, there was something else but I forgot. I guess I'll just have to yak about it later.

More Stuff! Rent House and Misc.

Yes, I know I still haven't posted my August book list. I will eventually, I just have not had a lot of time lately. We are nearly through at the rent house, so maybe that will change soon.

We got the carpet yesterday and the installer is coming this morning. Bill is finished with painting the two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. The bathroom needed a coat of Kilz first, since it was tan before and was just barely dark enough to show through the test spots where he put the white paint. There were a whole lot of other things, among them were two fence rail top posts that we had to replace. One was damaged in the ice storm in Dec. 07, but the other one was tenant damage. We've actually done quite a bit over there. We meet with our realtor this week to sign the paperwork to get it on the market. Like Bill says, not a moment too soon!

Froggy, here's some more information regarding Sabbath that Bill found. I forgot to post it on my last one regarding Sabbath.

Saturday is the seventh day Sabbat. Thus, in many languages the Saturday is named after the Sabbath.

Exodus 34:21 For six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in ploughing time and in harvest time you shall rest

And number 4 on the top 10 FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Otter is possibly trying to come down with a cold. She has been sneezy and sniffly the last few days, we had her stay home yesterday (Monday Labor Day) while we went to the rent house and she took it easy. She had her blanket and her beagle, she also coughed and sneezed a lot! Since she was home, she did the laundry that was piled up and dishes for me. But she's been trying to head off whatever this is and while she feels better this morning, it looks like it's trying to trigger her asthma. She is going to school this morning, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to go get her during the day.

OK, I'm out of time!

Belief & Sabbath

Somebody asked me about our Saturdays, here's the easy answer.

We are "officially" Southern Baptist. Here's the main website, for info.

http://www.sbc.net/

But we really are more closely like the Seventh Day Baptist Church. We do not belong to the SDB church, it's not a big denomination. We enjoy the SBC (Southern Baptist Church) but there are a few things that are closer to what we believe in, in the SDB church. Here is their official website, which has a good explanation of Sabbath Saturday.

http://www.seventhdaybaptist.org/7DB/default_EN.asp?SnID=607549449

I don't see us officially changing denominations, there is only one SDB church in our area and it's further than we would prefer to travel. Although it might be one we visit in the future. They are not too far apart in doctrine and beliefs.

Sabbath is something we've been observing for the last few years. It took a great deal of prayer and discussion, and obviously it was a big change to get used to. But it's one of the best decisions we have ever made. I resisted it big-time at first, but now I find myself looking forward to the next Saturday from the time one Saturday ends. Otter will frequently tell me on about Thursday that she really, REALLY needs a Saturday and that it can't get here fast enough. I know exactly how she feels!

There are the occasional Saturdays where we go somewhere, they are usually when we have visitors (like Froggy and Toadly who have to go to the flea market!), but we generally don't go anywhere. We stay home and spend the day as a family. We watch a couple of shows we've taped during the week, and we take turns choosing a movie to rent. The shows we tape are Charles Stanley, James Merrit (both Southern Baptist), David Jeremiah (forget which church he's part of) and John Hagee (non-denominational but he was raised Southern Baptist and his sermons reflect that). If the weather is cooperative, and we feel like it, we walk the dogs (which the are always ready for) or Otter might ride her bike - which I would also do if I had one right now! We can read all day, nap all day (Bill's done that!), I have several hours in which to crochet without interruption, we frequently have craft projects, we swam when we had a pool, etc., and there is also Bible reading. Just nothing that would be considered as actual work. It can be a fine line between what is work and what is relaxing, and it can also take a while to figure that out. Sometimes I'll cook an actual meal, but usually is F & F (Fix it and Find out what you will eat!). The computers are turned off by Sunset Friday and aren't turned on until after sunset Saturday with very few exceptions - such as having to print Otter's boarding pass for a trip to Texas one time. (Sunset Friday to Sunset Saturday). Other than the taped shows and the movie, we don't watch tv unless we need to check for potential weather issues during certain seasons - this is Tornado Alley, after all!

We generally stay home, but occasionally we have gone somewhere. When Otter was in karate, the tests were always on Saturday for example. Medical care needs, obviously, are the exception. Occasionally Otter will get invited to a friend's house for a party, sleepover, movie, etc., which will be on Friday night or Saturday and she usually gets to go to those.

The other benefit is that if we don't go anywhere, nobody needs to get dressed. We just stay in our pj's all day. Otter likes to sleep late, when MaggieMoo lets her that is, and then she brings her blanket and pillow to the loveseat and makes herself a nest. She usually has a stack of books beside her.

The Saturday observance of Sabbath is more closely Jewish, and since Christianity came directly out of Judaism we feel like that is one of the many customs that we should honor. We are extremely pro-Israel, we always have been, and that is one reason we originally thought about Saturday observance. We feel, as do many people I've discovered, that there are a great many observances in the Christian church that while not incorrect, have been changed for Man's convenience and not because of God's directives. Sabbath day is one of those things.

One other thing that I have changed about myself: submission. Biblical submission. The Bible is pretty clear about the order of authority within the family unit, and I decided several years ago that I needed to follow God's laws. So I did just that. Submission is a very misunderstood topic and one I'll get into later. This post is already long enough. Also, Blogger may be acting up because I have to keep adjusting my paragraphs.

And One More Rent House Update!

The carpet was delayed until Monday. It rained most of the day. However, I did get a very good price on the carpet pad and they delivered! I got a recommendation from my property manager, I called the man today and he was out there in 30 minutes. He measured the room and also told me that he installs carpet. We'll probably use him, his quote was better than the installer two years ago.

Bill painted the kitchen today. He still needs to paint the entrance way from the back door, the bathroom and the two bedrooms. But he was out of paint, we were tired and ready to go home so he didn't even attempt to start any of the other rooms.

I finished cleaning the vertical blinds and realized that they really don't look that much better. In fact, some of them have holes in them that weren't there two years ago. So the tenant is going to buy us a new set.

The plan is to mow the lawn at home Sunday morning (it hasn't been done in two weeks!), then head to the rent house and mow the lawn over there. Then we are going to get started on whatever hasn't been done, with the plan of finishing up on Monday afternoon. We're picking up the carpet Monday afternoon, so if all goes according to schedule we will be donedonedone by Monday evening. Except for the carpet, but we'll see if he can do it Tuesday. Bill will be off next week, so he can meet the guy over there at any time. Then Wednesday we meet with the realtor.

And hopefully we'll get some interest and get is sold soon after. Very soon, we hope!

Still Another Rent House Update

I haven't forgotten the August books, there are a lot of them but the list is in the other room and my feet are killing me so I'm not inclined to go get it.

The dog smell is gone today, there was still a little bit of the carpet pad in the room and I think that was the smell. I did wash down the walls in the master bedroom, but I think the problem was the pad.

Bill did a few things, I did a few things and then we went to Lowe's for a few other things. Including a new ice maker hose, since the one we put in the rent house apparently went with the tenants when they moved. They'll pay for it, too.

We're nearly done, I'm planning on getting the carpet tomorrow (if it doesn't rain), and I have a recommendation on where to get cheap padding. I'm going to call the person who installed the last carpet for us and see when he can do it. There are still a few things, but none of them are particularly big. I just can't do much at this point because it's things like cleaning the hardwood floor and I won't do that until after Bill's finished painting. And the kitchen, which needs a general wiping down but as that's where we're storing all the tools, etc., it has to wait. We should be able to get finished by Monday.

Getting there.