Just Loving The End of Summer

With weather in the 70's and 80's ... lows in the 40's ... there's a new step in my walk ;) A few mornings I've even turned on the free standing heater stove. Clean air, blue skies, white clouds, just a hint of color in the trees .. must be time to dig out some cooler weather recipes to start adding to the menu. My blog has been neglected as of late ... the whole summer was such a whirlwind of time that even updating it once or twice a week was a chore usually put on the back burner. This is not to say that I've had nothing to do ... hardly. Plenty of work is yet to be done in the yard ... and I do watch our grandbaby four partial days each week. But I have come to appreciate calling it quits around 4 PM each day for all outside activity ... including errands. By this time of day, it's nice to come inside and start fixing dinner, watching the evening news for a while, or just sipping tea on the front porch or back patio. Routine is a driving force, and when it's tossed by the wayside, I tend to over pack each day with way too much stuff.

I cannot sit and chat with you,

the way I'd like to do.

So brew yourself a cup of tea,

I'll think of you, you think of me.

unknown

Saturday's Agenda

1. pay bills
2. balance checkbook
3. weed-n-feed lawn
4. watch baby Jacob
5. make a batch of scones
6. change linens
7. wash front windows
8. relax
9. relax
10. relax
11. watch an old b&w movie

It's now 12:30 PM and all but 7-11 are finished. You can find me on the couch.

A House Blessing

This week I've been looking at houses for sale with my oldest daughter and son-in-law. They have been living in an apartment that is sandwiched between two floors of noise and smokers, leaving them without the use of their patio, and second hand smoke coming inside. Not long ago a 'herd of elephants' lived above them that enjoyed playing basketball inside ... they even had an overflowing toilet drain into their bedroom closet. Apartment living under these circumstances will drive anyone into high gear to get a home of their own. After much prayer, going over their finances, and getting approved for a loan, they went shopping. This is a roller coaster of a ride emotionally. Nail biting and losing sleep type of ride. But, alas, the Lord has blessed them with a new home. It's a little further along than shown in the photo with grass and a few homes nearby.

May the Lord bless you as you establish your home

May you bless the Lord as you trust in Him
May laughter fill its walls
And may God comfort you in times of tears
Bless all who enter

"For crying out loud ... just get a grip Mrs. Mac. " That's my new mantra repeated under my breath about a dozen or so times a day. This perimenopausal stage of life is the pits. It's comparable to PMS x's ten. My top three complaints are:

1. hot flashes
2. being grumpy
   
3. fatigue until 2 PM

Just when I start feeling energized for the day, it's time to start winding down for the evening routines. Someone take pity on my husband and send him a sympathy card .. OK! If you'd care to share your best remedies, just leave a comment.

Faded Photographs & Memories - My Babies

I just had to go open a large envelope with old photos that my mom left a few weeks ago. When you're in the midst of raising youngin's, seems you look forward to the day they are independent. When they're independent, seems you look back and wish they were little once again.

first: Nathan- age 3 (1999), second: Elizabeth & Ann - ages 10 & 5 (1995)
third: Elizabeth & Patrick - ages 2 & 5 (1987), fourth: Ann age 3 (1992)

But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children
Psalm 103:17

Biting My Tongue - Jeopardy Style

Answer:

What is ...

1. a courtesy flush
2. thinking like a dog
3. asking for help when reading directions on foreign made, self assembly items
4. remaining calm
5. patience, patience, patience

Question: Things I wish I had the nerve to say to hubby (OK, a few of these items I've already nagged about several times).

Seen on a country church's marque today:

Exercise regularly ... Walk with the Lord

Ode To Summer

AAAAHHH (big sigh) As the summer of '07 winds down, let me take a deep breath and drink in the last of the warm days without the hustle of the previous months' weight upon my shoulders (another big sigh ... aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) I'M A SURVIVOR! (barely)

With the kids heading back to school next week ... and the prospect of routine, routine, boring, lovely, much needed routine, I'm loving the thought. This new season (fall) that is soon to be here is my all time favorite time of the year. Preparing for winter, gathering pantry items, making a nice nest for the family, and tooling around town without worry of everyone's schedules is my driving force to sanity. There is so much to look forward to: warm fires, hot cocoa, leisurely visits with hubby and soldier boy. A good book, baking cookies, scents of pot roast and cold weather food wafting through the house.

Farewell summer
hello fall, my dear old friend!

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"
Proverbs 6:6 (NIV)

Just for laughs - a recent google search for "something's eating my roses" landed this link to my blog:

1. Whatever Happened To
   
   Take time to smell the roses today ... stop eating deer poop" ... Something's Screwy. April (10) Sunday Dinner At Grandma's. Excuse My Absence ...
   scentedgeranium.blogspot.com - 106k -